They told me to read the Bible, I did that, now what?

Question

On my older questions people always told me "Read the Bible!!".

So, I did that. It left me with a million question, and I still think it's a fairytale. Most questions I'm left with are about why people could even literally believe such stories.

Anyway, I read it. And now I read answers that literally say:

"How pathetic. An unbeliever who attempts to use the bible to make a point."

So, first you people make me read your book, and when I have an opinion about what you made me read, I need to shut up?

Can I safely conclude that "read the bible!" actually means "Oh, geezz, stop thinking and just agree with my version of the truth!" ??

Answer 1

**Can I safely conclude that "read the bible!" actually means "Oh, geezz, stop thinking and just agree with my version of the truth!" ??**

Yep, that's pretty much it. They think that if you read their holy book, you'll be convinced that everything in it is true and perfect. But then you read about a talking snake in a garden with two magical trees, the sun and moon standing still in the sky, a donkey talking to a prophet, a flood so big it covered the whole world, a tower tall enough to reach the sky, a guy with magic powers raising dead men to life and healing a blind man with spit and mud, etc. and what sort of conclusion can the logical thinker reach? Expecting a person to accept these silly tales as reality is like expecting someone to believe that Aesop's Fables were based on real events. When you point this out to Christians, they have no comprehension of what you are saying, as if you are speaking Klingon. They accuse you of not REALLY reading the Bible, or they say that you are closed-minded, or that you need the Holy Spirit to understand the Bible's "message," totally missing the point that the Holy Spirit is just another Aesop's Fable to you.

But, hey, keep on asking questions. It drives them nuts when they can't think of any answer except, "You need faith!"

Answer 2

Well I'm a Christian and I don't take the Bible literally... it has a meaning to it beyond the words written down. Maybe that was God's point to seperate the believers from the non-believers? I would not and will not call you pathetic however... you either said something that hit a nerve in someone or you just had some lunatics on that night. If you took the time to read the Bible, most Christians should respect that and I honestly believe if you read the Bible God will remember that on judgement day and it will be in your favor. Although the Bible I don't think is the main or only thing that will save you in the end... it's how you live your life here on earth and your treatment of others. What you choose to do with the knowledge you have now however is your choice and I won't condemn you for that.

Answer 3

I see what you are saying. That's good that you have read the Bible. It is not enough to read, we must also meditate on what we have read. If you meditate on what you read, you will find that alot of the prophesies foretold have come true or have already came true. What bout the 10 commandments in the book of Leviticus? Don't you think if people applied them, we would have better conditions? What about the prophesy in 2 Timothy 3:1-5? Don't you see that these problems have gotten worse? The stories that you read in the Old Testament did really happen. You have to do the research for yourself.

I don't want to go into much details because it will be too long to discuss. If you want proof that the Bible is inspired by God, do your research on the events that took place in the Bible for yourself. Maybe you will be convinced. have a lovely evening.

Answer 4

Sometimes. It depends on the person.
I saw one question where someone said they were offended that non-Christians dared quote the Bible in their argumentation. Clearly, this person stated, the Bible was meant to be read by believers.
I still think there's some good and interesting stuff in the Bible after all. Then, they tell me I must've read it all wrong because I didn't come to the same conclusion. I don't really care. I don't have much patience for bigots of any persuasion.
Didn't Jesus said you had to be like a child to enter the Kingdom of Heaven? To some, that might mean accepting everything on authority. But to me, it means taking in everything with an open mind and not being afraid to ask questions.

Answer 5

Actually you raise a good point. Can a non believer gain wisdom from reading Gods Holy Word. The answer is "NO"
Your heart has to be truly seeking truth and Godly wisdom.
Then God will open His Holy scriptures up to you.
Prayer is the best way to communicate with God.
If you truly desire to know Him. You must talk to Him.
You cannot know someone unless you first talk with them.
Read your Bible, start with the Gospels, especially the Gospel of John. Pray before you read and ask God to forgive your unbelief. Then ask Him to open His scriptures up to you and speak to your heart. God says that unbelievers cannot comprehend His Word. It is foolishness to them. Because of this, there is a spiritual veil that covers their mind so that they cannot understand the meaning of scripture.We are all at different stages of spiritual growth and the older, mature christians are not to look down on the younger (Spiritually speaking) christians. At the same time, the younger christians are to learn from the examples of the more spiritually mature christians. Everything should be done with love for one another. Just as Jesus loves all of us.
I suggest you read scripture more and develop a relationship with Christ Jesus through a stable prayer life.

Answer 6

Oh man! You just don't have to read it but instead reading it and understanding it.
If you really read the bible there's a verses says "Dan 12:8 And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things?
Dan 12:9 And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.
Dan 12:10 Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand. "

It is says there, that the wicked shall not understand. So if a person is wicked even though he read it over and over again he still cant understand what he is reading. But there is a way
for someone to understand the bible God says in " Proverbs 1:23 Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you. "

so if someone wants to understand the words of God he need first summit his self and vow his head unto the Lord

Answer 7

Tell me, when you read the Bible what was your purpose? Where was your heart in the matter? Was it in seeking truth and wisdom? God reveals Himself to those who are seeking Him, not just trying to prove a point, although the great C.S.Lewis started out to prove that the Bible was false and God converted Him. God saw that C.S. Lewis was seeking the truth, and when he found it he was able to admit that he could not have been more wrong about the Bible and God.

Answer 8

The bible is just words on a page unless lived out.

To Morgetheyne C:
Luke 3:16
John answered them all, "I baptize you with[a] water. But one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.

If your going to bash the bible, do it with a small knowladge base.

Answer 9

Unless you read the Bible with the understanding of the Holy Spirit you just wasted your time. Go to ttb.org and study it properly so you have understanding.

Answer 10

You don't have to do anything. But now you have a reason to criticize the Bible for your own experience. However, you can not discriminate anyone for believing in that "fairytale" as you called it. It's up to everyone to decide what to believe in, the same way you decide not to believe in the Bible.