Should a person launch into a detailed and involved study of the entire Bible before deciding that atheism is more reasonable than Christianity or any other sort of theism? Some Christians seem to think so by the way they act and sometimes asking, for example, just how much an atheist has studied the Bible. Self-professed Christians aren't asked this, so why the double standard?
2007-02-14 02:12:32 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Nope. I did read it after I decided. But I knew the source of the Bible well enough to know that it really didn't matter what it said. The stuff from Heaven's Gate was sourced better.
2007-02-14 02:17:06 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I studied religion in college and have read the great majority of the Bible (along with many apocryphal writings) before I came to the conclusion that I could not accept Christian theology as "the truth".
I would think, under this argument, that one should also launch into a thorough and detailed study of the Qur'an, the teachings of Buddha, the Zend-Avestas, etc. before becoming atheist. Despite the claims of Christians, their is no more proof for the Bible being correct than any other scripture.
Although I am not an atheist, I would think one could make a logical decision about it without going to a scripture first. As for Christians calling for this, how many have attacked Biblical scholars for doing just this? Many evangelists have condemned the Jesus Seminar for scrutinizing the words of Jesus. It's all hypocrisy. I would think if my eternity was to be based on a book, I would want to know everything about it I could, and it should be able to hold up to any test.
2007-02-14 02:31:20 · answer #2 · answered by The Doctor 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Since so many people keep giving the answer "It's in the Bible" study of the Bible is important for any one with a different opinion. A critical and careful study of the Bible reveals that it was compiled by religious people with a certain agenda. The New Testament compiled in the 4th century CE and the Old Testament in the 1st Century BCE. A careful study also shows that the books that were used to compile the bible were also heavily edited, rewritten, and in some cases completely forged to look like they were older. Other books that were popular at the time of the compiling were omitted because they did not fit the agenda the compilers were trying to promote. When good scientific research is done on the Bible and its contents, the evidence is overwhelming that the Bible is a mere collection of stories and myths that have nothing to do with our modern world.
2007-02-14 02:24:33 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have found over the years that when having a discussion with an atheist not to refer to Bible Scripture to prove my point.
It's sort of foolish to do so when the other party doesn't accept the Bible as factual and true.
People are given a free choice to believe what they will.
It may very well be that I as a Christian Preacher writer and Evangelist don't agree but I still respect their right to make that choice.
How nice it would be if the same courtesy was shown me.
2007-02-14 02:33:14 · answer #4 · answered by drg5609 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think that people should study the bible before they call themselves christians. I don't see why atheists should study the bible before considering themselves atheists. Saying an atheist should study the bible first is pretending that christianity sets the standard by which all things are measured.
2007-02-14 02:23:00 · answer #5 · answered by UFO 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Because many athiests I have read questions from ask questions from verses they have probably heard somewhere but never read. Or they opened a Bible and pulled one sentence from a paragragh, from a passage, from a book, from the Bible. If your going to criticize the Bible, then read it before passing judgement. If you are more agnostic, then at least your honestly saying I can't disprove the Bible.
2007-02-14 02:21:04 · answer #6 · answered by Scott B 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
How can one make such a determination without having studied? What is the double standard? Should Christians be asked if they have studied...um... "nothing" before determining that atheism is more reasonable?
(And no, science isn't the study of atheism. There are plenty of deists who are scientists and vice-versa.)
2007-02-14 02:22:21 · answer #7 · answered by Open Heart Searchery 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I do not think that studying the Bible should be a precedent to Athiesm....I do think that an athiest should be aware of other religious beliefs, be familiar with them, and be prepared to defend why they don't believe them.
Like wise, CHristinas should study BUddhism, Islam, and Hindu...etc. People should be well informed before making a life-changing decision.
2007-02-14 02:21:31 · answer #8 · answered by country_girl 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
What you need to do is compare the Bible with Archeology ,such as Schleiman's finds in Assyria and Ninevah,which weren't supposed to exist,and the Behistan Rock which names all the so-called mythical kings.And the finding of the mythical Troy(Troas in the Bible) and Caiphas coffin,the mythical high priest who tried Jesus.And the finding of the Mythical Solomons stables ,A stone with "House of David" on it from 800 BC,of course all us "Brains" know David never really existed,he was a compilation of shepherd kings,ha ha.A paving stone with the mythical name Pontius Pilate on it etc etc ad nauseum.Of course fulfilled prophecies help also.
2007-02-14 02:26:16 · answer #9 · answered by AngelsFan 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
What many Christians fail to understand is that atheists become atheists BECAUSE they have studied the Bible.
Great question, though.
2007-02-14 02:17:35 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 1⤋