Wouldn't the world be a better place if everyone followed the bible?

Question

Ok, hear me out...Even if you don't believe in God or Jesus, you have to agree that at the very least the New Testament is a moral guide to how a "good" person is supposed to live their lives. With that said, if everyone were to follow the teachings in the New Testament (even if they didn't believe the story is true, but accepted the philosophy as correct) wouldn't the world be a better place for everyone? Why are we arguing about whether it's truth when it's pretty apparent that there is a good moral sense behind the teachings. Shouldn't the question of whether the stories are fiction or non fiction be irrelevant? What's your opinion?

Wow! Thank you everyone for your responses!

For the record, I am not trying to force my beliefs on anyone else. I don't even know yet what my beliefs are. So please don't be offended if you do not belive in the bible.

As far as why I elected "my" religion, I was under the impression that most religions (except Wicca) were based (in some part) on the bible. If that is not the case, it was a rash assumption on my part and again I mean no offense. :o)

Answer 1

I agree with Dreamstuff Entity, except for Jainism.

The question of fiction vs. non-fiction IS irrelevant. What matters is how you use it. You can't just pick out the good bits and call it a religion. If you believe the bible, then you must take it as a whole, complete with homophobia and cruelty and slavery and eternal hellfire. You can't just say that the parts you agree with is true.

If everyone followed a moral code, the world would be a better place. The bible is not that moral code. I don't think such a moral code exists. That's my opinon.

Answer 2

If *everyone* followed the Bible's teachings in this regard, the world would definitely be a better place. Husbands and wives would love and cherish each other and provide for each other a stable home (the Bible's teachings on marriage involve more than sex). As a result, the heartache and tragedy of unfaithfulness would disappear. Children wouldn't have to suffer in a home full of hate, nor would they have to live in a broken home or without the benefit of a mother AND a father. Children would also see consistent living examples of fidelity, respect, honor and decency. In turn, a world full of people who have respect, honor, decency and fidelity could not help but drastically improve the social & political climate. Sexually transmitted diseases would disappear. My apologies, but I really have to address this "sexual compatability" issue. Some of you are confusing love with sex. That's a huge part of the problem. When you truly love somebody, the physical relationship will be gratifying.

Answer 3

You could follow the lessons in the Dick and Jane books, if you follow that logic. So, why not?

The Bible is not the end-all beat-all of moral and ethical authority. There are many religions older than the bible that say as many truths about how to live our lives decently and with faith. What is the deal with the BIBLE! It's just ONE BOOK! Written by a group of MEN who had to determine what their people would be allowed to believe (not READ, because everyone could not read) "Okay, this books in" "No, no - we can't have Mary Magdelene telling it like it is - that one's out" "And that Thomas guy? That god is in all of us? Burn that one... We'll never get anywhere if the people read THAT!"

Anyone who believes the bible was written by god is a flaming idiot. It was written by men, edited by men, even the books of the bible were chosen by men, to the exclusion of other important writings that did not make it in the bible. And the sense that we have to follow the bible today? Churches and people only follow the parts that they like. They don't follow all the laws of god (there are a LOT of them); they pick and choose which parts of the bible they teach and supposedly live by, ignoring the parts they don't like. I mean, come on, you hypocrites! If you're going to be a Christian, follow Christ's teachings - don't worship him for the sake of worshipping him? When did he ever say that worshipping hime was more important than being a good follower of his path. And don't forget - Jesus was Jewish - so you can't just ignore the whole Old Testament.

I'm so sick of Christian rhetoric it's sickening. Read some other stuff for a change (if you even really READ the bible); study the other major (and minor) religions to see the similarities; use your freakin' brains for a change.

You thought all religions were based on the bible? How old are you? What planet are you on? Have you ever heard of Islam? Hinduism? Buddhism? Taoism? Shinto? Sufism? I can't believe I just read what you said. And that someone in this day and age thinks that the bible is the basis of all religions.

Answer 4

You expect others to join the bible's teachings, when most of the Christians don't follow the 10 commandments.
The stories are relevant because they are a tool to reach out to people.They say one thing and people do a completely other one.
The bible says turn the other cheek and the people go to a crusade.
What you said was allright except on a wrong foundation.

Answer 5

NO!!!!!!!!!!!

The world would be a better a place if everyone respected themselfes and others, and object. If all were living in harmony,, I wont say piece.

So in short,, if everyone we develop spiritually and become enlightened. And I dont mean the enlightent point from the christians, because that is once again only a point that benefits there eligion andgod, and not the world/Universe.

Blessed Be
DRAGON

Answer 6

Except the New Testament says to love God first then your family, and Paul/Saul was homophobic. If we lived by the New Testament gay people wouldn't stand a chance at being happy.

Answer 7

You can find great moral teachings in many books including the Bible. You can find the Lord Jesus Christ ONLY in the Bible. Jesus was more than a great moral teacher. He is God clothed in flesh. He rose from the dead. One day soon he will judge the world.

Answer 8

I do not agree !
We (people) can not easily match our lives with old solutions in this millenium !........ So there is even no "if" for that.
But the holy Bible is really good in facts. I'm a muslim, so make sure I did not judge on a feeling. The holy Quran has also some rules that has become dead now !

Answer 9

No because most of the world does follow the bible or at least some type of belief in god or a god of some sort. It is still getting worse every day!

Answer 10

Dear Dulcie,
All that is written in new testament and old testament are true. I will tell you this instance in my life,
Have you read that Jesus said after He goes to heaven He will send another comfortor who will teach us and help us in John 14. I always used to wonder whether there is really Holy Spirit and ask God to fill me. But nothing happened because I was still in one particular sin. But got delivered miraculously, I have written how my life got chaged.
But in last year(november 2006) while in prayer in our fellowship, I received the wonderful gift, Holy Spirit which I felt as a soft vibration passing into me and I felt instant joy and peace and happiness and that God is there.
Then I knew that bible only tells the truth, there is no lies.Only fact is that people dont understand.
Please read my testimony here,
http://www.protectinghands.com/ladder_to_heaven.htm
Here are many witnesses who has seen heaven and hell, just as John has written his visits to heaven in revelation,
http://www.insightsofgod.com/
Seek God to know all truth.