Should an age limit of 21 and up be placed on the Bible due to its violent and sexual content?

Question

"And so God killed every single first-born child in Egypt" doesn't really sound appropriate for a 7-year-old.

Answer 1

The bible has it all, incest, rape, slavery, murder, patricide, matricide, beastiality, homosexuality, religious intolerance, anarchy and revolution against your government. Not good reading material for anybody.

Answer 2

If you gave a 7 year old child a book on how to operate your washer and dryer it would be dumb, because he is not of an age to understand it yet, so, if he wants to know how to operate it, a parent would sit and explain it to him in honest, but simple terms that the child could understand.
Same with the Bible. Certainly some parents don't want their small children in the TV room when watching a movie about the concentration camps, its not appropriate, not because it isn't true, and not because it isn't necessary for him to understand what happened, but because the child would be unable to process it in his mind to an outcome of understanding.
The Bible is truth, and every child should learn it. You teach your children from the Bible little by little, based on their age and ability to understand it. But thats not to say that someone would need to be 21 to understand it, thats crazy. That being said, if you feel that the Word of God isn't appropriate for a person of an older age because of the content, shame on you. A young person should be told the truth, whether it be Scripture, or about drug use, or about sex, whatever. At an older age, if you feel that Gods truth is inappropriate, then I've got some news for you:
God doesn't need your stamp of approval, and if you deliberately withhold the truth from anybody, you will be held accountable for it. The truth is never inappropriate if the person is of age to understand.

Answer 3

Of course not, and often times and the age of seven you have a children's Bible which often times is filled with bible stories that are written in a language that is easy for them to understand... Anyways, if you think about it....have you ever seen a child watch the news or play T-rated video games??Have you ever seen a child watch a movie like the Lord of the Rings or something else that has violent content?? Have you ever seen a child who has had to live through a war where there father or mother was killed?? All of these have reference to violence and pictures are much worse then words could ever be, especially for children!!

Answer 4

I would say that is up to the individual and what they think their children can handle. Any parts of the Bible that seem violent, sexual or other wise to graphic for children should be explained or paraphrased by a more mature person. Very good question though. I have heard this asked quite a few times.

Answer 5

Situations similar to this happen in the US also. Perhaps the foster care system should be held liable. In my case as a foster parent, one of the young boys went home and his mother was living with a very young boyfriend, she was 35 and he was 19. Mom was told to stay away from the boyfriend. She lied about him living there. She regained custody of two of her three children. A 9 year old who is low functioning, due to being strapped in his car seat and being beat with a toilet brush at 2 months old, among many other situations, and his five year old brother. She first lost custody when the boys were 7 and 3 for having sex with two men while the boys sat on the couch and watched. Long story short--- the boys went home. Mama's young boyfriend showed the older disabled boy how to do a flame thrower with a hairspray can. The older boy burnt the younger boy from head to toes while he slept. Can you believe mom gave up custody of the older boy and the younger one continues to live with her. Perhaps foster care needs to be reformed before the adoption system is.

Answer 6

No
Perhaps life should start at 21 because the world is violent and sexual? The Bible just recounts the human condition and history.

Answer 7

To all the anti-christian loonies out there: the Bible records many instances of bad behavior not just good behavior. It does not mean that the Bible supports such behavior. It is meant to show the wicked nature of man. Also, these accounts are not graphic. I know. I've read a few. And before I get blasted for being a Christian. Let me tell you I am one. No I'm not perfect. But each day, I change a little more. And I don't care what anyone else thinks.

Answer 8

Most little children don't understand things until they are ready, and I have never seen a child have enough interest to read the Bible on their own. Most children read and hear stories that their parents want to teach them, you know, like Noahs ark, David and Goliath etc. so the mature parts of the Bible don't really open up to them until they are older anyway.

Answer 9

Many of the Bible stories are inappropriate for young children, but I'm not in favor of legislating an age limit. Let parents decide on their own at what age their children are ready to deal with such things.

Answer 10

How about adding parental skills to the conversation, like everything in life kids need help. Old Testament violence is negated by the coming of Christ. By most of these answers, most have no idea what the bible is about.

Answer 11

I think that kids are not interested in reading middle eastern tales and legends. An age limit warning is probably not necessary.