Clearly, the bible was a book written by a bunch of guys who wanted to control the masses and gain power and it sure worked!
There are some good things in the "bible' like don't kill and things but you can't figure that out on your own without some fake god telling you. Religious people are a bunch of silly pants!
2007-05-23 08:09:25 · 22 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
The problem with your premise is this: All of the Apostles died gruesome deaths, except for one. All that they had to do was recant their testimony of Jesus, and they would have been spared. Yet they died with "He is risen!" on their lips.
People will not go to their deaths for something that they know to be a lie. If the things written in the New Testament were not true, and they would be spared if they changed their tune, don't you think that they would have?
During the Watergate incident in the 70's, the conspirators couldn't keep their lie straight for two weeks. The worst that could happen to them was prison, not death. And yet one by one, they started to squeal on each other, hoping to catch a break with the prosecutor.
The Bible is not a "fairy tale," because people don't knowingly die for something they know to be a lie. Besides, none of the Apostles lived long enough to "control the masses." They all lived in poverty.
2007-05-23 08:16:35 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 2⤋
"Clearly, the bible was a book written by a bunch of guys who wanted to control the masses and gain power and it sure worked!"
Because you don't respect the bible for what it is and you don't respect the "idea of God" for what it is. Your question would get the same response as you would give a Christian threatening you with hell.
You are not giving them a reasonable alternative.
Consider religion and the idea of God from the view of natural selection. Clearly, religion works as does the "idea of god." How does it work, and why does it work?
Some of the stories in the bible had been around for thousands of years before they were even written down. They might not be accurate or true, but they certainly have value. What can the story of Adam and Eve tell us about the cultural history of these people? Don't dismiss that either as it is OUR cultural history too.
If you want to know what I mean, check out the source link. If you read the best answer, I think you'll see the value of the bible for us as a whole as well as how atheists can find value in the bible.
2007-05-23 15:22:15 · answer #2 · answered by Tao 6 · 1⤊ 3⤋
The Bible is not just a fairy tale and there are not many things people can't figure out on their own.
The Bible has more then just rules for life and how to life morally, it has inspiration, it is life and it is the truth. Take some time to really read the Bible, it is the Word of Life.
1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was with God in the beginning.
3Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4In him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood[a] it.
(1 John 1:1-5)
Read more, you have nothing to lose, but much to gain.
2007-05-23 15:20:55 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
Hello,
Well even if one feels it is nonsense with respect to God, it does cover a lot of ancient history and the characters were indeed real. Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea apppointed by Sajenus, you were safer being one Of King Herod the Great's swine than one of his sons, Antioch Epihanes of the Greek Seludid empire did have a Jewish revolt etc, Senacherib was a real Assyrian king meaner than cat manure etc, etc, etc.
Michael
2007-05-23 15:33:22 · answer #4 · answered by Michael Kelly 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The Bible was written by poor people or those of little means. It is a collection of many different types of books. Some historical, some prophetic, some fables. Not everything in it can be taken literally, you need to know what can and can't.
The Bible isn't everything. Protestants raise it to be more than it is, because that is all they have. Jesus founded a Church, not a book.
2007-05-23 15:14:19 · answer #5 · answered by The_good_guy 3 · 2⤊ 3⤋
I hope you agree that the Bible was written quite a while ago. Try checking out material on its prophetic record, I think you will know why some of us believe it to be the Word of God.
2007-05-23 15:17:56 · answer #6 · answered by Sir Offenzalot 3 · 2⤊ 2⤋
I think it is a road map...but, should not be taken literally...
and yes it was written by humans, who may have made some mistakes, and contradictions occured in the Bible...but, I still believe it was inspired by God...
We can learn from many books that have been inspired by people...or inspired by war...or inspired by history...we can learn and get great lessons from these things...and the Bible is no different...we can gain lessons of great importance from the Bible.
2007-05-23 15:16:32 · answer #7 · answered by G.C. 5 · 1⤊ 3⤋
Perhaps it's because many things in the Bible have been proven to be factual, and many of the people mentioned in the Bible have been proven to have actually existed. That could have something to do with it.
2007-05-23 15:13:30 · answer #8 · answered by The_Cricket: Thinking Pink! 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Ignoring your obviously biased rant, people think that the bible is something other than a "silly fairy tale" because it also contains legistlative (legal) texts, history, poetry, etc.
2007-05-23 15:13:22 · answer #9 · answered by Church Music Girl 6 · 4⤊ 1⤋
We believe in it because we know it to be true through the power of God and His Holy Spirit. Jesus said that it would seem like foolishness to people like you. It means that you just don't get it.
2007-05-23 15:12:18 · answer #10 · answered by †Lawrence R† 6 · 4⤊ 1⤋