Do they know what they're requesting?
Christians may find the Bible to be reassuring, but atheists and others tend to note the chaotic violence of the Hebrew God with horror and revulsion.
It seems to me that reading or rereading the BIble reinforces the reader's original impressions on the subject, regardless of the openness of mind. Anyone else see it like that?
2007-10-23 16:03:50 · 17 answers · asked by Doc Occam 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I agree. The people who find the Bible to be "inspiring" are people who are already convinced about some part of it. Once people have the one initial "born again" experience after a time of desperation (where basically their prayer is a mediation that transfers self-responsibility symbolically on to an external entity), their mind is open enough to swallow whatever the book reinforces.
In fact, I've known some people that DID presume the Bible was all warm-and-fuzzy, and reading the book in fact shattered (NOT reinforce) their original suspicions.
Eleventy though admittedly brings up a good point. Both of these answers ("Just pick up the Bible and feel touched" / "Just put down the Bible and think") may falsely presume something about the other person's cognitive reasoning and personal experience.
2007-10-23 19:41:47 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
The Bible is a guide for living and it proves that God is a loving god. It tells us the consequences of living a sinful life and guides us in a way that He would want us to go. Being a Christian doesn't mean that we are perfect, it just means we accept Jesus as our Savior and try to live as He would have us live. If everyone followed the 10 commandments, there would be no adultery, murder, idol worshiping (and you can include drugs, tobacco, alcohol, etc.) We could leave our doors and windows unlocked because there would be no theft, pornography, etc. You say atheists and others, well, are they the same people who go to the movies and watch slasher films, the dead devouring the living, Satan and demons, haunting and porn films? The wars in the Bible are historical fact. There is also some of the most beautiful poetry ever written is in the Bible. Have you ever read Song of Solomon? As for your final paragraph, are you talking from experience and just haven't found the Lord or are you really wondering what you are missing. "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all ye ask will be given unto you". When you ask for His help, and seek Him out, then He will open your eyes to the truth. The Lord doesn't force Himself upon you, but if you let Him in, He will be there for you. I doubt that you would consider this the "best answer", but at least I told the truth. Praise His Holy Name!
2007-10-23 23:27:25 · answer #2 · answered by Sunny 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I like some of the stories in the bible. I dont however think the bible is a cure all. I hate to say that but its outdated for the times we live in now.
2007-10-24 08:10:03 · answer #3 · answered by natasha 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Me and about 85% of Swedes, 54% of the French, roughly 40% of Canadians... but sadly, only about 8% of Americans. Do Americans read?
2007-10-23 23:09:00 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
to them, it seems that the bible leads to only one conclusion which is absolute and that anyone can see that if they just read it. unfortunately, these same people fail to read the bible from front to back to see all the random nonsense in it. they have a few choice passages as an arsenal and seem to ignorantly believe that, because it's in print, it is the truth.
i read the bible everyday. i have for 15 years. chapter by chapter and verse by verse and that's how i converted from christianity.
as i've said before, if christians didn't have faith, they wouldn't have a leg to stand on. reasonless reasoning is just stupidity in disquise.
2007-10-23 23:13:57 · answer #5 · answered by eelai000 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Read the Bible for the good and truth it contains, not to reinforce the unhappiness you're dwelling on.
2007-10-23 23:09:18 · answer #6 · answered by Thomas E 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
It'd be like an atheist saying "Use your rational mind." Without further instructions, it's just another way of saying "I'm right but I don't want to discuss it."
2007-10-23 23:09:28 · answer #7 · answered by Eleventy 6 · 5⤊ 1⤋
think they assume that you havent read it-it is a bad assumption in a lot of cases----smile and enjoy the night
2007-10-23 23:09:54 · answer #8 · answered by lazaruslong138 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Because they've (the people who answer) never actually read the Bible themselves.
2007-10-23 23:07:57 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 3⤋
An answer like that is code for "I don't know."
2007-10-23 23:46:56 · answer #10 · answered by Bookworm 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋