twice. Not only that, but I've read other books, particularly the genuine Pauline epistles many times more than that (as a former Christian, I'm fascinated with Christian history). Yet, people who have clearly never even cracked the book open keep telling me to read it.
How frustrating do you think that is?
2007-08-28 18:05:43 · 16 answers · asked by wondermus 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
dze's response is typical of the modern, historically uninformed Christian. They malign you for not reading their holy book, but if you do read it, and still think Christianity is bunk, they tell you can't possibly understand it because you're not spiritually open to the message. Funny how this is the only book you need to be "tuned into" to understand.
What this really translates as is that if you're not open to deluding yourself, it's impossible for you to join them in their delusion, which makes PERFECT sense to me.
I've read the bible three times (admittedly I was reading it as a critical thinker, not a faithful puppy dog) and what I got out of it is that it's filled with contradiction, ambiguity, violence, absurdity, prejudice and deliberately misleading messages. It's also transparent in it's agenda (or I should say its author's agenda) but in spots there are some rousing good tales. As a moral/ethical guide for modern society, most of it would be better suited for birdcage lining.
2007-08-28 19:43:46 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
Pretty frustrating, I'm sure. However, there are several ways you can read the Bible. One is from the standpoint of history, which you have done. However, the scripture says in 1 Corinthians 2:14,
"But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned."
What does that mean? It means that there is another level to the Bible that the person without the Spirit cannot see. Yes, you can read the Bible many, many times, and completely miss what it is God is trying to show you. If you ask Him to reveal His Word to you, then that will change.
Chuck Missler makes a great analogy of this regarding holographic imagery...
http://www.khouse.org/articles/1999/230/
2007-08-30 06:37:08 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's probably pretty frustrating. I think that a lot of Christians use that as their defense. "How can you know if you have never read it?" I personally do not want to sit down and read something that is that long and full of "facts" that I disagree with. I think that a lot of Christians have probably never read the book themselves. Good for you though, having all of that knowledge!
2007-08-28 18:13:23 · answer #3 · answered by wayner122 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sounds frustrating.
Sorry to hear that you are not a believer, and yes many atheists have read the Bible. (How else would they come the the conclusions they have without information?)
Well reading and studying it for me had the opposite effect. I realized that I needed a Savior. I saw that prophecy was fulfilled etc...
It is ok to agree to disagree on how to respond to the Bible. It just makes me sad in light of end time prophecy. Keep a Bible handy just in case the stuff that is supposed to happen at the end times happens in your life time. OK?
^-^
take care
2007-08-28 18:30:00 · answer #4 · answered by redeemed 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Blessed be the blessed.Chapter 1 verse 4 Larry, Curly and Moe
2007-08-29 03:24:04 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Same with my husband. He can out-argue most Christians when it comes to the Bible and biblical history. There are many, many Pagans who know the Bible inside out.
2007-08-28 18:13:33 · answer #6 · answered by Cheryl E 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I've read the bible to. That's what set me on the path to atheism. It is such an implausible and obviously mythological collection of tall tales.
I've never had anyone tell me to read it. Most people I know are reticent to discuss religion, and that works for me.
2007-08-28 18:14:12 · answer #7 · answered by kc 4 · 3⤊ 1⤋
I have been studying the Bible for a long time,and I still don't understand it all. So I wouldn't tell anyone to "read" their bible. you may just have to them, "Bible-thumper,thump thy self". Matt. 7:4
2007-08-28 18:24:51 · answer #8 · answered by firelight 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
More frustrating is when they cherry pick a passage to "prove" something, but the passage that it belongs to totally contradicts their point or has nothing to do with it.
2007-08-28 18:12:47 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
It's very frustrating. The empty drum always rattles the loudest.
2007-08-28 18:11:21 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 6⤊ 0⤋