In some religions, where every family member is encouraged to have their own copy and use it frequently, they wear out a Bible every few years. What is the proper way to dispose of a worn out Bible?
2007-02-10 03:40:27 · 35 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I used the military's procedure for disposing of worn flags as a model. They hold a small ceremony and burn the flags on a rack over a fire. Very respectful.
I didn't have a ceremony. But, I built a fire in a large copper fire bowl (I think a grill or a fire place would have also been suitable). Then I tore out a few pages at a time and fed them into the flames--ensuring that nothing remained that would be recognizable on a rubbish heap.
2007-02-10 04:17:57 · answer #1 · answered by Lily 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
If the Word of the Lord endures forever, doesn't this mean Bibles should be indestructible?
Actually, I'm trying to make a point, in jest. The Bible itself doesn't say anything about how to dispose of a collection of scripture. The point of reading a bible is so that you might write God's word on your heart (in Hebrew this word "lev" can also mean mind and soul) where it will not be destroyed.
Donate it, save it (some people write notes in their Bible which may be valuable for future refrence), recycle it, sell it, whatever, it doesn't matter. There is no mystical power in the pages of the Bible itself, and in a sense giving the book itself respect rather than the ultimate Author could be seen as idolatry and seems rather to border on the Kabbalistic reverence of the words themselves. Focus rather on God than such a trivial technicality.
2007-02-10 04:12:32 · answer #2 · answered by goofyguy47 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I would think that the information in the Bible is the important part, not the Bible itselt. I would have trouble throwing one into the trash though. If I couldn't take it and get it fixed then I would probably put it up in a closet or in the attic or burry it. As good as Bibles are made now I can't even imagine wearing one out no matter how much its used.
2007-02-14 06:31:23 · answer #3 · answered by HereIAm 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Good question. I'm not sure. I have a few of those worn out Bibles too. Maybe we should put them in the box with our donations to charity. They probably receive a lot of them. Only a true believer would understand how hard it is to part with the guiding book that we read continually,highlight and write down our most intimate prayer requests. We should, somehow, realize that we're not disposing "God's Word' ,just the paper that it is printed upon." we know the Word,"Jesus," will remain forever. Sorry, I don't know, but I can really understand your sentiments. I agree totally.
2007-02-10 04:00:30 · answer #4 · answered by para 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Since the paper and ink are not what is Holy, you can do whatever. Old superstitions claimed a curse for anyone damaging the paper and ink of a Bible. Nonsense. I recommend either keeping it on a shelf, I refer to the notes I've written in the boundaries of pages from my first Bible from 1982. Or you can always give it to someone less fortunate than yourself. I've given many Bibles to sincere homeless people looking for hope and something to read. A local homeless shelter would gladly take your old used Bibles.
God bless you and keep you
2007-02-18 02:10:00 · answer #5 · answered by Daniel 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I could never bring myself to throw out a Bible. It just seems somehow blasphemous, as does burning it! The Jews have a tradition of burying Holy Books that have worked their load - I like that idea. It seems nice, returning it to the earth, from which all things come. So, in my mind, dig a deep hole, say a prayer, put it in the hole, and cover it again. In time it will break down and just become part of the soil, a mulch used for flowers and grass to grow from.
2007-02-10 04:09:34 · answer #6 · answered by Pebbles 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Throw the damn thing out its a book, a piece of cardboard full of pages of history. Take the truth out and forget the physical piece of nothing. Know what The Truth in the Flesh shows you and live by it, be what you should and forget the papers that let you find God in yourself. Dont let that book be an idol. That book is a tool for you to find God. Let the tool go because if you found God than you need nothing more. People need to stop looking for answers in books and start looking for answers in themselves, God Dwells WITH IN US!!! all the answers are inside us. When you find the voice in you that shows you all that IS than you need nothing from the physical world anymore.
2007-02-17 00:48:44 · answer #7 · answered by Brian Arnold 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Depending on how worn out it is I give both used and new Bibles to homeless. Along with food, blankets, and offers to find shelter. Many people will take them that would never go out and buy one. If it is semi-decent, I personally would be glad to find a home for it if you can't. You could e-mail me at earthlink.net and I will give you my address to ship it to.
You could always donate it to the Salvation Army or Goodwill if the cost of shipping is unaffordable but they will sell it in a thrift store rather than give it away.
2007-02-10 03:50:58 · answer #8 · answered by pontiuspilatewsm 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
If it's a family Bible, place it in a box and put it in the closet. Personally, I haven't thrown away any Bibles, I recycle them at book repair shops.
2007-02-10 03:47:43 · answer #9 · answered by calledwards 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think there really is a standard for such things. I hope the next paragraph doesn't offend you...I promise it was done in a spirit of worship.
When my childhood Bible started falling apart, I cut out certain passages and put them in my scrapbook. Not as a child, but as a teen. I think it's a really neat way to preserve something that wouldn't be saved otherwise.
2007-02-10 03:47:17 · answer #10 · answered by WithUnveiledFaces 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋