Do you know the only book of the Bible that I respect as an atheist?

Question

It's the Book of Ecclesiastes.

Why?

Because Ecclesiastes (literally "teacher") most likely wasn't some fellow sucking up and buttkissing God. No, he was probably some relatively bitter middle-aged man with the better part of his life finished, and he was passing on what he had learned.

"Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart; for God now accepteth thy works.

Let thy garments be always white; and let thy head lack no ointment.

Live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest all the days of the life of thy vanity, which he hath given thee under the sun, all the days of thy vanity: for that is thy portion in this life, and in thy labour which thou takest under the sun.

Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest."

These are some of the wisest words I've ever read.

Fellow atheists, do you respect anything in the Bible?

Of course you may point out that Ecclesiastes refers to a God, but my personal opinion from the book is that Ecclesiastes, whoever he was, didn't really put much stock in belief in God.

First of all, there is no reference to the Judaic God at all in the book.

Secondly, Ecclesiastes tried a life of worship but eventually rejected it, finding that it offered no succor.

As I indicated, according to the Jewish Encyclopedia:

“ The Israelitish name for God is nowhere employed, nor does there appear to be any reference to Judaic matters; hence there seems to be a possibility that the book is an adaptation of a work in some other language."

Hence I choose to believe that any references to "God's commandments" were simply grafted on to the original work in order to make the work acceptable to Hebrew scholars.

Otherwise, it makes no sense that Ecclesiastes would refer to God's commandments without once mentioning the Hebrew God.

Answer 1

I've read it twice and I found a lot of good points for living in the Bible that can be applied to everyone including Atheists.

When reading the Bible it's important to remember it was compiled over many years by many different people.

Answer 2

I believe Solomon wrote Eccelisates.

I dont see where you get that skewed idea about the author's belief of God. The last two verses of the book say: Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter:
Fear God and keep his commandments,
for this is the whole duty of man.
For God will bring every deed into judgment,
including every hidden thing,
whether it is good or evil.

He is saying to obey God for nothing else matters. It is pointless to seek riches because if you are blessed or work hard enough for them and get them, you die and it all belongs to a stranger sooner or later.


I thought that Esther would be an atheist's favorite book since it doesnt mention God anywhere in it.

EDIT: What Bible have you been reading? "God" is mentioned 37 times in Ecclesiastes. Look at Ecc 2: 24, 26; 3:10, 11, 13-15, 17, 18; 5:1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 18-20; 6:2; 7:13, 14, 18, 29; 8:2, 12, 13, 15, 17; 9:1, 7, 9; 11:9; and 12:13, 14 (quoted above).

Answer 3

You missed the point of Ecclesiastes by isolating it. Keep reading you will find that God never wanted people to be miserable! Read the words of Jesus and tell me you can see NO value in them. You have EVERY RIGHT to be an Atheist, but I think it is wrong to say there is nothing to respect in the Bible.

Answer 4

Ecclesiastes is one of my favourite books in the Bible. It was probably written by Solomon as he reached the end of his life and he is reflecting on his own life and experience. If you read it carefully you will see that he is saying that a life without God is meaningless. For the most part Solomon had turned away from God and done his own thing.
He summarises everything at the end by saying that what we ought to do to live a fulfilled life is to fear God and keep His commandments.

Answer 5

Absolutely, there's a lot of wisdom in the bible. Why not? There have been many wise people throughout history, and some of them had a hand in writing the bible. No supernatural muses required.

Answer 6

Soloman wrote the book of Ecclesiastes. He was doing quite well as long as he was in God's favor. What happened when he lost God's favor ? Well, he turned out to be not so wise.

Answer 7

I respect the 10 Commandments, but that's because they originally came from the Ancient Egyptian's 'Book Of The Dead'.

Answer 8

Ecclesiastes or Koheles in Hebrew was another name for king Solomon

Answer 9

Job, it shows what some mythical supernatural being could be like and why worshipping one is foolish. The story of Job is like the long version fo the riddle of Epicurus.

Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able?
Then he is not omnipotent.
Is he able, but not willing?
Then he is malevolent.
Is he both able and willing?
Then whence cometh evil?
Is he neither able nor willing?
Then why call him God?

Answer 10

Thanks for giving me something to read today! My husband just turned 42 last week, my oldest just became a teenager on Saturday and I turned 35 today. I am feeling a little depressed and now I will read Ecclesiastes and see if it will help...or make me feel worse!!!!