why do so many people believe in a book?

Question

that has been written and re-written so many times by so many people, each with their own opinion, slant and agenda? and why do these people use these words against others, often to condemn and persecute them? I'm talking about the bible of course.

it bothers me because a lot of harm is done by people preaching from the bible as if they KNOW this stuff is true. homophobia, sexism, racism, revenge, these are all behaviours which some peple justify through referring to the bible.

Answer 1

Why are you condemning the bible? I agree, it has brought on its fair share of damage. But it isn't just bible thumpers that have this "belief in a book" problem. What about the radical Muslims and there belief in the Koran? Look at all the damage that has been done over that book! And for thousands of years as well. The Jewish people of Israel have there own battles with the Torah. What about Kamikaze Pilots from Japan, who believed in their faith so much that they flew their planes into things on a suicide mission.

Answer 2

I believe in "a book" because I know it holds the truth. The Bible defends itself and says it is the inspired word of God... you might say that this doesn't prove anything until u consider the other evidence:
~the Bible was written by over 40 different authors over hundreds of years, but it doesnt contradict itself... either all these ppl had the same ideas, or they were inspired by the same person (God) to write...
~The Bible predicts the future: in the old testament (written many years before the new testament) it was predicted that Jesus would come and that he would suffer, and if u read the new testament (written many years later by different ppl), Jesus did come, and did suffer (died on the cross). and there is scientific/ historcal proof that Jesus existed, and that he died and rose... and there were thousands of witnesses who saw his miracles and saw him rise up into heaven. Also, the Bible predictes many things (like wars and natural disasters) that are happening now. (those are just a couple examples)
So if the Bible is right on those points, it has the right to defend itself and say that it is the word of God.

And no, it has not been rewritten many times--scholars have researched and proven this. The Bible has been translated into different languages, and there are different versions (if thats what u mean), but translators take special care to ensure that their translation is true to the original Hebrew/Greek. So the Bible is pretty authentic.

And yes, ppl sometimes misquote the Bible and take things out of context to suit their own opinions, but u have to blame the ppl for that, not the Bible itself. It's not the Bible's fault ppl don't take the time to read it properly and understand it, then go around saying random things and claiming it is truth. In order to know what the Bible realy stands for, u have to read it for urself... u can't just take ppl's word for it.

Hope I clarified things for you...

Answer 3

Regarding your statement that the Bible has been rewritten to suit other people's agenda, the evidence of the ancient manuscripts seem to contradict your implied assertion that the Biblical text has been altered (some minor variations in spelling and grammar, but no substantive changes in meaning).

I don't know if this answers your question or not, but one of the main reasons that I believe in Christianity is that the people who knew Jesus were willing to be tortured to death rather than change their story that they saw Jesus return from the dead.

If the apostles were lying about seeing the resurrected Christ, then why didn't they take back their story when they were individually being tortured to death? Every one of the apostles (Except John, who died a natural death in exile on Patmos), were killed for their faith. Wouldn't a liar recant this story to save his own life?

What did the apostles have to gain by making it all up? What good does fame or power do for a dead person?

I accept the apostles' story because the witnesses were creditable.

PS: BTW, I heard the crack about the suicide bombers; however, the difference between the suicide bombers & the Apostles is that the suicide bombers are not eye-witnesses to anything (they didn't meet Muhammad personally), and they are killing innocent people for their faith, not suffering for it.

Answer 4

Maybe you need to understand the good things the bible can teach us. For instance it preaches honor and ethics, something you know nothing about. Without the teachings of the bible and other religious books and teachings we would have no law and civilizations and would still be scratching fleas off each other. It is a shame you are to blinded by your own idiocy to see the great things the teachings do for us. Without this book you refer to you and the country you hail from would not exist. You should know the facts and the truth about religion and its teachings before you say ANYTHING about it. By the way I am not a christian and never will be. But I am one of the American patriots you hate and therefore I do not respect you or your values because you see only the stereotype of Americans and not the TRUTH. Good day.

Answer 5

The Bible has not been written and re-written so many times.
It was written once.
It has been translated and the accurate translations makke themselves evident.
The Dead Sea Scrolls prove this.
It is true that people have used comments from the Bible to suit their own ends, however, that is a mark against the person, not the book they're supposedly quoting.
You will note that when anyone goes to school, they study what is written in books. It is not an evil practice.
Learning from books is a time tested, honorable way of advancing one's circumstances.

Answer 6

There are rules, regulations, and instructions everywhere in all walks and aspects of life, you cannot get away from them: From the 'Law's' & 'Decrees' of government: to the Highway Code: to the correct behaviour in a swimming pool: recipes to make your favourite dish: to the instructions for the DVD player: so on, and so forth!!!

We may not like or agree with many of the rules, regulations, instructions as they are laid out for us: but we do have the choice whether we follow any of these rules, regulations, laws, instructions etc or not!! But one must realise, and be willing to suffer the consequences should they be ignored!!

To you the ‘BIBLE’ is just a ‘Book’, full of fanciful or fictional stories, written by men and women, for men and women!! And is used to judge, criticise, condemn etc the world around us, and many of the people in it!! Okay: no problem: that’s your opinion and you’re given a God given right to it!!

How about:-

Muslims and the ‘Quran’ or ‘Koran’?

Jew’s and the ‘Torah’?

The Teachings of Buddha?

The Jehovah’s Witnesses and the ‘New World Translation of the Christian Scriptures’?

Christian Science and the ‘Science & Health’?

Mormons & the ‘Book of Mormon Articles of Faith’?

Each and every religion or cult has its rule, guidance, etc ‘BOOK’ to live by!!

But to a True Christian: the Bible is much more than just a book!!

It is the living and active: inspired word of God!! A history book: A geography book: A Biography Book: A rule book: an instruction manual: a guidance manual: A security warning: and much, much, much more!!! One cannot explain to a non-believer, the importance of God’s word to a believer: or the ‘Power’ that it has!!

Also a True Christian, as I have said several times in previous answers: cannot ‘Choose’ the scriptures he/she likes, feels comfortable and happy with: and disregard the rest!! We have to take the Bible and it’s writings as a whole. We may not agree, understand, comprehend etc all that is written: but that’s where faith: hope: and love come into play!!

Yes the Bible says that ‘Homosexuality is wrong’: but that does not stop me having good friends who are gay!! That sex before marriage is wrong: but I know many young & old, single parents that are also good friends!! I love the ‘Sinner’ not the sin!! & who am I to judge another? I will share my beliefs and faith with anyone who will listen… and it is up to them whether or not they choose to accept Christ for themselves or not: It is there God given choice!! But to be able to make the choice: they first have to know there is one: and the alternatives: and the consequences should the wrong choice be made!!

That’s why Christians Witness!! Sadly some do with Hell fire and damnation: without the cooling balm of LOVE!!

God Bless you!!

Answer 7

When others like something that you don't like, it is natural that anyone will ask questions like this. Christians ask about Koran the same question. Muslims ask about Bible the same question. Atheists asks about Koran and Bible the same question.

All questions are either out of curiosity for knowledge or with a cunning intention to prove that themselves are wiser or better than the rest.

Why do we all believe in something?
Because it suits our thinking or mental condition. That's it. All are born alike but not grown alike.

Answer 8

The Bible has existed in it's current form since the council of Niscea in the early fourth century AD.

Answer 9

well .... if u look at science tht is taught in schools and places, tht is taught using books. people read it from books learn it and believe it, people discovered these things and put it in books so it can be taught for future generations and doesnt have to be rediscovered each time.

same thing for religion. wat was experience and "discovered" during the times of humanity was written in books and revised as languages developed and taught widely.

if ur soo ready to believe science, y not religion?

if ur talkin bout codemnation and persecution thats all in the interpretation of the text and can only be blamed on the reader and not the text itself.

these are my thoughts ;)

t

Answer 10

I like to lesion to people and get info form many different places. It seems that I learn best by experiencing things and it is great to talk to people and hear what they think and what there feelings are! Maybe we are all just trying to find our ways!