Is Bible Bashing ever effective...?

Question

...or is it just a power trip?

The very first time I ever heard the term "bible basher" was from a Mormon missionary. I had made the decision to leave that religion and was requesting ex-communication (which they never granted me) and I was showing them where their religion was against the Bible and they gave up immediately and said they would not "bible bash" with me.

Then when I took Bible lessions with Jehovah's Witnesses...I witnessed how they turned bible bashing into an art. It was such a rush for them to have the answer to everything scriptural at the drop of a hat. Like pulling a gun at a showdown. But it seemed to just leave people pissed off.

So, I was wondering if any bible bashers out there ever converted anyone by this practice, or is it a exercise in memory or a kind of contest?

atheist

Steve b Seeking: I'm an atheist NOW, back then I was not. I wanted ex-communication papers to prove that I was NOT a Mormon any longer. I did walk away, but without ex-communication papers, they can claim I'm still a member. I would rather have had the papers because it leaves me feeling so dirty....ya know? :)

Akimbo: I adore "The Age of Reason". Paine was a genius. It was an eye-opener for me, as well.

insighthere: A Bible Basher is someone who constantly goes around forcing the word of the bible on everyone else, and claims that everything BUT the Bible is evil.

TeeM: actually...the definition above is from the dictionary and here is another: A religious person who is obsessivily you could say, and insanely into his or her religion. They tend to 'bash on' about their religion and try to feed it to you. No disrespect to their religious beliefs, but knowing a bible basher can somtimes get sticky. They tend to be very preotective over their religion, and know nearly everything about it. They will argue the point, and during times of bashing, can become quite violent.

In this country this is what Bible Basher means. Bible Thumper is the same thing.

Answer 1

I suppose the answer would depend upon the weight and acceleration of the bible in question. That and the number of times it is used upon somebody's forehead. Put it all together and you have power.

No, not effective, a turn-off.

Answer 2

Everyone has their interpretation of what the Bible is trying to say. I heard a semi-joke once about getting three Christians together on a Bible verse and getting five different interpretations.

Bible "bashing" as you call it, is when someone is so convinced that they have the ONE TRUE interpretation, and are so scared that they might be wrong that they just can't help but try to stuff their own interpretation down everyone's throat, so they can feel like they are right. I do try to see why others don't interpret it the same way I do, but I know I might have been a Bible basher at one time or another. The problem there is, when someone brings up something our church believes, and then says "prove it from the Bible" and that's next to impossible. As Pilate said to Christ "What is truth?"

Answer 3

Ahh apologetics! The bible debate that can not be won between two opposing bible beliefs. Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses, and any other sect of "bible inspired" religions will always have an answer or quit before the debate can be had. The reason is because they are not teaching the whole truth but teach a twisted man devised doctrine. I can see now why you left the religion and why you now call yourself an atheist. But I ask you, did you make your decision based off the way people/Mormons treated you when you showed them the truth of scripture, or did you leave because you just felt like it. Either way it doesn't sound like you took the truth for yourself and used it to know God for real on your own. Had you done that God might have spoke to your heart and you would have known Him for yourself. The good news is that its not too late now.

Answer 4

Well it can help you when they try to claim that the Bible prophecies are proof if you know a couple of thing just off the top of your head that didn't come true. It can also help when you are confronted with the idea that God is all loving and forgiving to know a couple of the real horrible things that are in that awful book.

As an atheist it always has a big impact on people when you know things about their book that they don't. I honestly don't think most Christians have ever read the thing. But they will when you point those things out.

Now freeing someone from religion is a process. You aren't going to do it with one conversation or one point. But every thing that you do that gets them thinking and asking questions moves them in the right direction. I can even tell you what started me in that direction. A Sunday school teacher told me plants were created before the Sun. I had to see if that nonsense was really what it said.

Answer 5

Well, I am still on the Catholic roster, so I know what you mean. I never did seek excommunication with them, but it would be nice. It's icky knowing that somewhere in the giant records of the Vatican I am still listed as a member of the church.

I point out absurdities and contradictions in the Bible (and Koran) in the hopes that I make it a little more socially acceptable to question these things. As long as it's taboo, religion gets a free ride. The only way we can free society from religion is by changing the big picture, the overall attitude, not by recruiting individual converts.

Answer 6

Whenever you disagree with a certain doctrines that someone strongly believes in you are instantly seen as either an enemy or a person they can convert to the right path in their eyes. Bible bashering is a form of blocking and drowning out anything the person doesn't want to hear or believe it is there way of putting their fingers in their ear and shouting bible verses out in an attempt not to hear you speak about something they view you as being wrong about.

I am not a bible basher but I have meet a load of them and I notice they only convert other bible bashers and people that want to hear their opinions.

Answer 7

It doesn't matter how effective or otherwise bible bashing gets. So long as you do it sincerely without ulterior motif. I just say my bits and let it go. Arguably, the biggest bible-basher in history was Thomas Paine with his classic work, "The Age of Reason". He certainly opened my eyes so much so I had to flush the Bible away at: http://www.flushaholybook.com

Answer 8

As a child I was forced to go to church every Sunday and had everyday seen a bible somewhere. I lost some of my carefree childhood All this did was make me rebel, let me make up my mind what I want. I have never had an interest for supernatural spirits and whatever mumbo jumbo.So sorry to all bible bashers,all you have ever done to me is cause me to oppose you, and get me all riled up.PS, I am Australian too.

Answer 9

I am not quite sure how to answer. Do I use the Bible as an answer for every question? no. If someone wants to know how to tie a tie, I see no reason to mention scripture, as scripture does not cover this subject, however if someone has a question on scriptural matters, or matters that are effected by scripture, then sure I use the Bible, as it is the basis of those beliefs.

Answer 10

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Are you Australian?
I have noticed Bible Basher in America tends to mean someone who hates the Bible but in Australia it is someone who loves the Bible. It was pretty confusing at first when I read that here.
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Answer 11

I think you find that most people define bible bashers, as those who bash or destroy the bible.

I think the term you are looking for is bible thumper.

These are ones who strive to teach the bible to everyone who will listen.

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