Why is it that so many christians have never read the bible?

Question

There are so many christians out there in the world who have never read the bible. And I am far from being the most knowledgeable or prudent, but it just puzzles me. I have a lot of friends who believe in jesus, yet have never read the bible. But were brought up in churches. Why is it that so many christians have never ead the bible? I am not a christian and I have even read the bible. Can someone give me a good reason why, instead of just laziness?

Answer 1

I've had the same experience with my Christian friends. I am not Christian and view the Bible as an interesting historic text. Last year I decided to reread the Old Testament and turned to my Christian friends. I can at least say that they were honest with me in sharing the fact that they were unfamiliar with it. When I was studying the New Testament some years before, I was appalled to find that they were totally unfamiliar with Paul. To understand the Old Testament, I attended Torah studies at a Jewish Temple. I met many knowledgeable people there. They were fantastic human beings who helped me to understand it within its historical context. For interesting discussions on the New Testament, I have found my friends who are either agnostics or atheists to be the most knowledgeable. I think that many Christian Churches rely on indoctrination into their dogma rather than the Bible. In speaking with ministers and priests about their studies, most stated that the Bible was not central in their studies, dogma and church law were. Go figure.

Answer 2

I am an Atheist and have read the bible, I wanted to make an informed decision. I think many "go with the flow" and become or say they are Christian because it's easier than going against the grain. I am not bashing Christians, don't get me wrong. If you say that you are a Christian and have never honestly read the bible , I dare you... read it. As an Atheist, I do go by many morals of what the bible says, I just don't believe in some of the stuff that goes with it. It IS possible to live a good life without Christianity, I believe it's been in your "heart" all along instead of someone else telling you how to live.

Answer 3

I am a christian who has read the bible from front to back several times because I believe it is my handbook for life. However, I do agree with you (except for the lazy part). Many come in his name and misrepresent him. They say things like "the Lord is punishing you" or that sickness is "a test". They are mostly fed by man made religions that practice and preach beliefs and practices that are no where to be found in the bible. If more Christians read the bible they would question some of these ridiculous things.

Answer 4

I cannot give you any reason other than laziness. Our western society is without a doubt the laziest in the world. Overseas Christians are not even allowed to own a Bible and are killed if caught with so much as a scripture written on a napkin. But most American homes have at least one Bible in the home (many have several) and refuse to open them. They are quick to start debates with non-believers only to prove their sloth by exposing their ignorance. I think it comes right down to the fact that we grossly underestimate the true power contained in the Word of GOD.

Answer 5

Why have so many American citizens never read the Declaration of Independence or the Constitution of the United States? Because it's easier to let others interpret the words, and to be told what they mean--it's less time-consuming, and it's less taxing on the brain.

Besides, Catholics were enjoined from reading the Bible for centuries, and all the masses and other rites were said in Latin. So the history of reading the words for yourself is only several hundred years old in this country, and at most 500 years old worldwide.

Answer 6

Well. I am a christian, and I read the bible, but only when I have too.

The thing for me is that I was raised up a christian, so I guess I'm just kind of tired of it. I know it sounds bad, and un-godly, but I am a teenager. It could be a difrent reason for adults, or maybe not.

Answer 7

Well laziness is a big part of it. The average American only reads one book a year. I think the main reason people don't read the Bible is because they have people telling them what it is all about. And let me tell you, this is very wrong. People need to read it for themselves so they don't get mislead by some crackpot television Evangelist.

Answer 8

Islam made it clear that we are born with default setting on all the good, but Parents convert us to what they believe.

Also, Islam warns us that we can not stand before God and say it is not our mistakes but our family mistakes.

Thus you can be raised to whatever your parnets raise you, but when you reach maturity age, you should make sure for yourself.

As this is an effort, and people are lazy to excerise the effort of questioning and seraching, you can see the picture you offered.

and Guess what I am a Muslim, yet I read the bible!!

Answer 9

i'm a Christian, so i've got self assurance i'm qualified to attempt to respond to your question. the reason being that many Christians are ignorant. i understand damn nicely that the guy i'd desire to be debating at one ingredient in time would have examine the Bible. it is why I attempt to not advance any particular verses, yet attempt to argue my case in a extra comprehensible way. i understand that they'd have examine it, and that i agree which you in all likelihood understand better than ninety 9% of the Christians you have debated. maximum Christians easily do not take a solid long e book on the Bible and earnestly attempt to appreciate it. i'm not gonna say I understand a hundred% of it, yet my expertise of that mixed with my expertise of technology and what not can help me out in many debates. there continues to be some i'd desire to study nonetheless. i'm nonetheless youthful, so I have been given time :) easily, the lack of awareness that many Christians teach is insufferable. I hear a great style of dumb comments popping out of fellow Christians' mouths in specific circumstances, and it makes me ashamed to be linked with their comparable faith. i attempt to maintain my faith own...i do unlike a great style of the flaws that come alongside with prepared faith. do exactly not label all persons as ignorant. There are nonetheless some persons accessible that are ok :)

Answer 10

"Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every Word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God" (Matt. 4:4). When we try to "live by bread alone," we feed the body but starve the soul.
if they are too busy to read the Bible every day, they are busier than Almighty God ever intended any human being should be, they should let some things go and take time to read the Bible