Is the Bible about love or does it incite violence and hatred?

Question

Dan Barker (former preacher): "You can cite a hundred references to show that the biblical God is a blood-thirsty tyrant.”

Robert Ingersoll: "Few books have been published containing more moral filth than this inspired word of God."

Frank Hughes: “In this ‘sacred’ book of family scandals we find filth, sex orgies, cannibalism, atrocities, sex perversions, incest, bloody violence unparalleled in any other chronicle in all the literature of the world.”

Thomas Paine: “The Bible is more consistent with word of a demon than the word of God. It is a history of wickedness that has served to corrupt and brutalize mankind”

Eleanor Roosevelt: “The Bible probably gave me many nightmares.”

Ella Gibson: “The abominable laws respecting women in the Bible are a disgrace to civilization and English literature.”

Joseph Lewis: "The writers of the Bible were more concerned with rape, murder, robbery, slavery, licentiousness, brutal ignorance and degrading superstition.”

Answer 1

Bible = hands down worst book ever written, period.

Filthy, sick, perverted, hateful, bigoted, sexist. The list goes on and on. If Xians actually read the book they would see why so few people believe in it's simple minded nonsense.

Answer 2

So, i assume he could have given Islam a extreme-5 and tell them to hold their direction? First, those are distinctive religions. this is a factor it is glossed over. they're distinctive for a reason. in the event that they have been fullyyt nicely matched, then that they had be the comparable faith. Is an evil guy allowed to be certain that yet another guy is evil? Hypocrisy isn't a preclusion of wisdom. all of us be responsive to who he grew to become into chatting with. He grew to become into talking concerning to the wacko extremists like Osama. each and every person else only have been given their panties in a wad. There are patently distinctive interpretations of Islam, at present and interior the previous, and that i'm able to assure you there are Muslims (probable various them) that believe that violence interior the call of Islam is okay. So, you honestly have 2 communities: - Muslims that pontificate peace and have been given indignant. - Muslims that believe in violence, who're rather indignant and don't see that they are freaking hypocrites. i believe that Osama will supply a speech condemning the Pope.

Answer 3

The Bible is an interesting dichotomy.

The New Testament, by and large, is about love. Love is mentioned, referred to, and expressed often in the New Testament.

The Old Testament is...well...brutal. Smashing babies upon rocks, offering virgin daughters to rape gangs, turning people into pillars of salt, raining down fire and brimstone...

I think the important thing to ask: Who is writing the Bible?

Much of the Old Testament was written after the Israelites left Egypt, and in the period when they were constantly at war with everyone around them.

The New Testament was written at a time when Israel was subjugated, but it was a relatively static, stable situation. Jesus was not worried about external threats - he was worried more about how people treated each other. Nationality is not nearly as important in the New Testament, or when it is, it's merely to point out that judging based on nationality is wrong.

The Jews of the time, in keeping with the Old Testament, were expecting a Messiah that would be a warrior and a leader who would help them overthrow the Romans.

I would rephrase your statement, to say that the Old Testament is more about violence and an "us against them" mentality. The New Testament is about love.

Answer 4

I believe Thomas Paine said it best, "It is a history of wickedness that has served to corrupt and brutalize mankind.”
There can be no refuting this. those that do will surely cite it as folly or misguided individuals who use the bible to corrupt others. That or I'm sure they'll find some irrelevant bible quote that "negates" this quote.

Answer 5

I think it's how you view it. There has always been death, war, adultery, sickness, wrath and for the Bible to ignore that would leave it with no credibility. Am I to believe everyone is perfect from the Bible times?

But how you use it is what comes into play. Do you view the depravity of murderers and slave owners and aspire to be like those people or do you see all that hate and suffering and want to change it? It's all on how you view it. Hitler or Mother Teresa? The choice is yours.

Answer 6

All of those quotes can certainly be true if you focus on a single chapter or a verse from the bible. God created man, whom he knew were to be sinners, and needed to help them learn to not go astray and be able to follow him. When he passed on his word, he needed to touch upon some very dark subjects in order for us to be able to find all answers in the bible. Yes, the laws about women (no sex when bleeding, etc) are strict in the bible but we are all sinners, he knows that, and was trying to set guidelines knowing we will test our boundries. It's human nature and god created humans, he was well aware that we would question and test the bibles laws at times, or else we would all be exactly the same and all be divine at birth and there would be no point to life.

Answer 7

You're not an Atheist. You're a Bigot. Quit hiding and show your email address. I'll debate your hating *** anytime anywhere. You can pick on these nice christians and they'll take it from you, but not me. Get an education before you start spouting your hate, loser.

And "reaper" guy, you have it right, it IS a "history of wickedness...", not peace love or joy. Of these, you cannot refute.

Answer 8

Look at it like this.

God created man.

Man did not trust God's Word and did as he pleased.
(strike on for man, consequence was to live on earth in the sin he chose)

God then created a way for man to be saved through sacrificing.
(strike two for man, he either refused or could not keep this law)

God then provided a way that is outside the works of men so that they may be saved. He sent His only begotten son to die for them, so that all who would believe would be saved.
(Strike three for man, all who deny this cannot be saved)

So, do you really think that the Bible teaches love after all that God has been willing to do in order to save him from eternal life in hell?

Answer 9

There is a passage that says you can sell your daughter into slavery. There is a passage that says you should stone to death anyone who works on Sunday. If you take passages out of context you can find what ever you want to find in the Bible.

Answer 10

Of course all the people who wrote these things have never had a personal relationship with God so of course all they see in the flesh is what the flesh wants them to . Which of course is murder and everything that has to do with the flesh this why we need a personal relationship with God so he can show us who He really is and who he created us to be.. so you have a choice listen to these miserable people and be as miserable and angry as they are or seek the one who gives you the very air you breathe and desire to see you fulfilled in life your choice but as for me I choose God and His wonderful blessings