Any atheists that have actually READ the Bible?

Question

Don't get me wrong, for the most part I am an atheist as well. Despite my beliefs, I find the Bible to have SOME great historical value filled with timeless morals, yet I see many uneducated answer/comments on here from people who are basing their beliefs on what they HEAR Christanity is about. This goes for any religion, really.

In other words;
Don't critique the film without watching the movie first.

It makes all of us atheists look ignorant and arrogant.

Second squirrelling: Your response was very thought-provoking but flawed in that it's based on assumption. Your view doesn't really offset my own.
My point was to at least do SOME research before jumping onto the soabox with a megaphone denouncing other's views. I'm ashamed to see fellow athiests post abusive debate questions while christians tend to generally care about others when posting.
People are quick to put down the Bible as a poor fairy tale, yet what better bases is there for instructing morals into our children. Even our (America's) laws were first written based on it's teachings.
And as far as it being "boring" reading... use your imagination people. There's enough sexual content in Genesis alone to fill 10 years of Penthouse Forums. (some of it downright disgusting) Few christians will speak of this though...

Answer 1

DAMN RIGHT!!!!!! nothing worse than seeing atheist "activists" speaking on our behalf, the Easter Bunny isn't real either but I'm still gonna let my daughter paint eggs chill out give it a rest, and if your incapable then at least know what the f**k your talking about

Answer 2

Yes i have read the bible, i was bored in a hotel room one night. It was almost like a story to me though although it is a great book for a moral decision to take in life, if it is translated correctly. Some parts I couldn't quite understand because it could be translated into so many different meanings. Overall though it was informative of how life was lived during around the time of Christ. I'm always up to reading on new religions, especially Buddhism. That religion has always fascinated me the most. I'm still on atheism though because I've read lots and lots of text books, and have done actual studies myself to find my own solutions.

Answer 3

For many atheism is the end of a journey of curiosity that covered more than one religion and many religious texts.

I read the bible at least once. Funny, but when you aren't in a holy state of mind the thing is a very boring read. Also, with all of the lack of logic and justice (esp. the OT) it made me shake my head and roll my eyes more than a few times.

You have a bit of a fallacy going on here though. Namely, you make the assumption that one must be on intimate terms with the scripture of a religion in order to criticize the actions of those who follow it. I have no problem criticizing Scientologists yet I have never read Dianetics. Have you?

What was it that Twain said? "When one reads Bibles, one is less surprised at what the Deity knows than at what He doesn't know. "

Answer 4

The majority of atheists have read the Bible. In fact, I don't know a single atheist who hasn't read the Bible. Most atheists know more about the beliefs they're discussing than the people who actually follow those beliefs. Did you know that more than 95% of Christians have NOT read the Bible? So in reality, it's the atheists who DO know what they're talking about.
BTW--I've read it twice cover to cover, and I still go in and read up on parts of it as needed.

Answer 5

I certainly have examine it conceal to conceal in distinctive translations besides as in Greek and Hebrew. I certainly have additionally examine many different "sacred texts" from many different faiths; the TaNaKh, the Qur'an, the Bahagavad Gita, the Mahabharata, Ramayana, The Analects, e book of Mormon, Vedas, Upanishads, Talmud, Tao te Ching, a pair of million/2 a dozen Books of Shadows, "Going Forth with the help of Day" (aka The Egyptian e book of the lifeless), the Bardo Thodol, the Eddas and countless different fornaldarsögur, the Iliad and Odyssey of Homer in Greek, the Hymns of Orpheus, Poems of Sappho, Euripides, Plato, Aristotle, Sophocles, Pythagoras, The life of Apollonius of Tyana (with the help of Philostrates), Virgil, Lucian's "Syrian Goddess", the Meditations of Marcus Aurelius Antoninus, Yoruba Legends with the help of M. I. Ogumefu, the Mabinogion, The Zend Avesta and the Pahlavi texts and a few thousand different books or scriptures of lesser widespread non secular sects and ideology. I certainly have even examine the gnostic Gospels and the distinctive books of the early Christian "heretical" editions like Ophites, Cainites, Carpocratians, Cathari, Albigenses etc. Of what attainable effect is my erudition? i don't think in any God because of fact there is not any data which may well be examined and objectively general, not because of fact I certainly have overlooked to examine those books. Your learn does not seem to have been revealed. I looked for it, and because i could not hit upon such a learn in the final 20 years I could desire to end your statistics are meaningless without suitable citation... As continually; "semper necessitas probandi incumbit ei qui agit", (the will of data continually lies with the guy who lays costs.)

Answer 6

well, i'm not actually an atheist. i'm pagan, but in my younger years i read the bible. i also took a study course on it.

there was a time that i enjoyed arguing religion (my stepfather was a "christian"). for some reason the other person would always get upset. i don't discuss religion a whole lot anymore unless someone asks me a question.
i have a couple of friends who will call me to ask me bible questions. they don't try to convert me and i give them the same courtesy.

everyone is entitled to their own choice.
bb

Answer 7

Consider this: Christians in America do things because of what they have heard Christianity is about, without ever reading, comprehending, or critiquing the Bible. Us atheists have to deal with them too. I'm sorry, but we HAVE to talk to them about what a whacked out idea "Jesus is God" actually is, even though the Bible never says it. Matter of fact, we have to talk to them about the documents excluded from the Bible as well.

Answer 8

Many of the worlds great religions are more or less history
books written long ago about who we are and how we got here. Our educations have given us a unrealistic view of
what it all means. with much prejudice spoken by the religion's
leaders of past and present, they cannot be believed to speak the truth because they don't know the real truth.
( If I were to say that we are fallen angel's would you then believe, think about it and then read the great books of religion's)???

Answer 9

most atheists began life as theists before they were even given a choice.

I myself went to eight years of catholic school.

how many creationists have actually read a book on geology or evolution, or history?

Moreover, ALL christian moderates demonstrate that they HAVE NOT read the bible, as breaking any of the ten commandments is punishable by death (Deuteronomy)

Islam is violent

Christianity is violent

the old testament is laden with violence

Religion is violent- ban it as the threat to humanity it is



PS - as another poster points out, Harris quotes the bible extensively, as do Dawkins and Hitchens

the magic book doesnt even agree with itself; so either god is one sh!tty writer, or a bunch of illiterate desert barbarians pulled this crap out of thin air

Answer 10

It has been written and rewritten, and by who? Probably a bunch of right winged bigots. So, what are you now a christian? Someone walked on water, yeah, and all the unbelievable ho-hum in it is too much. It is so BORING. And so, not true.