Atheist and I want to read the bible for the first time?

Question

I've always been atheist but my girlfriend is a christian and has a very religious family. Religion has always fascinated me and I would like to read the bible. I'm not trying to find faith or anything I'm just trying to further understand it's message by actually reading it myself and not just listening what other people say about it. The thing is aren't there tons of different versions? What are the differences? What one would you suggest I read and why?

and a sub question..would you think in your religion my girlfriend would go to hell if she eventually married me, being an atheist?

lol..no christians have answered. It's like they dont' want me reading "their" book. Aren't they supposed to spread the word of god?

no one has told me the differences yet..can someone give me a link or something describing the differences and why they are different?

no one has told me the differences yet..can someone give me a link or something describing the differences and why they are different?

"if you are an Atheist, you don't believe in Hell - Remember"

I don't..I said in your religion, meaning christians

"she may be reluctant to marry an atheist if she is very spiritual"

she has told me on many occasions she wants to marry and spend the rest of her life with me

Answer 1

The King James Version is the most common English translation.

I think the best thing to do would be to find out which Bible your girlfriend uses and read the same version.

Personally, I like the Skeptics Annotated Bible, which is online (and uses the KJV translation). I'm an atheist, though, and I suspect most Christians wouldn't approve of the annotations.
http://skepticsannotatedbible.com/

EDIT: In general, the differences are rather minor. They're usually small translation and stylistic differences. I think almost all of them agree on the major theological points.

Answer 2

I would try the NIV (New International Version) or an good, modern dynamic translation as they will be a bit easier to read than the archaic English in the more literal translations or the KJV.

She would not go to hell for marring you, but the difference may cause some problems in your relationship, especially when it comes to your kids.

Edit
Differences of the different versions are due to whether the translation is dynamic or literal. A dynamic translation is an attempt to render the words and meanings into contemporary language. The KJV is a dynamic translation for the 1600's and language has changed significantly since then.

Literal translations attempt to render the exact wording from the original sources. An example of this is the NASB.

Then there are paraphrases and looser translations that concentrate more on the perceived meaning and don't worry about accuracy.

Another difference between translation style is the sources that were translated and how conflicts between the sources were resolved.

Note: The KJV is a dynamic translation and is not the most accurate of the dynamic translations. People will swear by it but will never do the research to find out whether it is actually right or not, but will just accept it - a sad state of mind in my opinion.

Answer 3

OK - I'm going to give you a basic overview of the whole translation process to help you understand the difference in the translations themselves. I'm pasting this answer I gave to a similar question yesterday, so forgive the irrelevant parts (there's only a couple - honest!)

We know that the Scriptures (and all the oldest manuscripts we have available) were originally written in languages other than English. Translating from one language to another isn't as easy as you might think. You can't simply look at a word in Hebrew or Greek and assign one English term as "the" translation of that word in every instance. It'd be nice if it worked that way - but it doesn't. Anyone whose studied a foreign language knows this firsthand. A lot of times there's two or more "right" ways of translating. Sometimes there just isn't one corresponding word and you need a whole sentence to convey the meaning. Other times you run across an idiom or "saying" that wouldn't make much sense if you translated the words alone - so you need to translate the meaning. For example, telling someone in Japanese that "it's raining cats and dogs" is gonna get you some pretty strange looks!
There are basically two ways translation is "done." The first is called "formal" - which is a more word for word translation - the second is called "dynamic" which is a more thought for thought following of the original text. ALL translation use both of these methods - some just "lean" more toward one than the other. The NASB is an example of a more "formal" translation - the NIV is an example of a more "dymanic." Then there are, of course, paraphrases, which are actually rewordings of the originals.
If you're going to seriously study the Bible, you need to get yourself several English translations and a good Bible Dictionary. That way you can grasp the "fuller" meaning of a word or phrase and gain a better understand the Scriptures as a whole.
While it's helpful to learn the orginial languages, and I have studied them - few have the time or inclination to do so - and even that doesn't make you an "expert." (I've spoken English my entire life and I am hardly an English scholar.)
The good news is, we have the expertise of those who DO qualify for that title available to us - so let's use them!
PS:
I wanted to add this. Most of the criticism leveled against different translations isn't really founded (I'd be happy to discuss this with anyone via email).
Save for a few that are obviously flawed and therefore rejected by the vast majority biblical scholars,(the NWT for example) there really is no "best" translation. They all have thier strengths and weaknesses (due to the limitations I mentioned above). Find one that you can understand to use as your "main" source. You can use a website like http://www.studylight.org where you can compare the different translations side by side.

Answer 4

The differences in Bibles is that some have been revised for better understanding, changing the words to our present day verbiage.They say the same thing only in difference ways. If you want to get to the closest way it was written get the King James version. Next in line would be the American Standard, it leaves out the "Thy's and thou's".And I recommend a "study Bible" which will gives you study notes on the bottom of the page, and a Bible that gives you what Jesus said in Red.If "truth" is what you seek, upon starting go in with a clean slate, FORGET, all that you heard or been told in the past. For or against. Start at the very beginning and work your way all the way though, this will give you better understanding later. If truth is what you want, ask God (even if you don't believe) to open your eyes, and heart to know the truth one way or another, if your heart is clean, (God can read hearts) He may answer with so many wonderful and amazing surprises for you.Don't lean on your own understanding, your understanding will come from a "supernatural" origin.

About your girlfriend. Jesus said no one, or nothing can separate you from God once you belong to Him. So she won't go to hell. But, Jesus did say, don't become unequally yoked to a non-believer. Christians are different, they think different, they are not part of the worldly things that non-believers are. You guys will be in opposition to one another always. You are setting yourselves up for so much heartache later.You won't be able to "fulfill" each others needs and desires. Because they will be different.God didn't say don't be with non-believers to be mean and controlling. He said it to save you the grief and sorrow later.DON'T DO IT.Take it from one that did, and was sorry. May God bless your journey.

Answer 5

Well, in reference to your additional postings, this is the first time I saw the question. The newer questions are listed first and the older ones just get shoved down the line. As you can see, several Christians have responded and I am one more of these. May I add my opinion?

Several have mentioned which Bible they would recommend that you read, and please let me thank you for at least being open enough to read it. There is a lot of wisdom in the Bible's pages, and more people would frankly be better off if they would "read and heed", as a former boss used to say!

The King James version is easy to find and has a very beautiful way of expressing the ideas. It was appointed to be READ in churches during the Shakespeare/Elizabethan/Jacobean era--a lot of people couldn't read!

New American Standard is a very literal translation. I do a lot of study with it, so that's my preference.

New International Version (NIV) is easy to read and has a paragraph style format. Several people use it and love it.

The Message is a translation/paraphrase that reads almost like a newspaper or magazine article. Easy to read but I don't know where you could find a copy except at a Christian bookstore.

J. B. Phillips made a good translation too, very easy to read, with a wee bit of a British flavor (he was an English minister). I use it to compare and get a "second opinion" on my readings.

So there are a lot of good versions I can personally recommend; others, too, that some of the folks have mentioned which I just don't know about. I wish you and your friend much success in your search for truth.

Finally, I would recommend you start reading the Gospel by John. He was an eyewitness to most, if not all, of the events in his book and wrote it down in a very simple, easy to follow style. Then, read Acts, and then, you'll be able to navigate your way through the balance of the New Testament. One other suggestion: while reading Acts, you'll find reference to other cities and churches. See if there's another book or two that cross-references one of these (e.g., Corinth, Ephesus, and so on). You are embarking on the quest of a lifetime and I wish you both well.

Answer 6

the new international version (NIV) is probably the most user friendly so to speak, the language is the easiest to understand and they have study versions that have good notes on the scriptures.....i think it's a great idea that you read the bible, whether or not you are "looking for faith".

and i do not believe that anyone goes to hell (or heaven) based on the beliefs or lifestyle of others, not even a spouse. however, she may be reluctant to marry an atheist if she is very spiritual...i do not think i would have married my husband if he were an atheist....he is catholic, and even that was a stretch (just a joke)!

Answer 7

I am a Christian. Trying to be one , anyway. I hope what I say helps you.

Religion? James 1:27 keeps it simple ,babee.
Explanation needed? Matthew 15:9 ... keeps it even simpler, babee. Do study anyway even though I gave you the answers to the test..ok?

I do not believe she or you will go to hell. And that is why I gave you key scripture so you can approach scripture study perhaps a little better prepared. A Christian believes.. truly ( that takes really a very gradual progression of events throughout life ) that God can do all things.

Answer 8

No one suffers another's sins.

If I were you, I would start with the book of John in the New Testament, then Romans. Pretty good reading and a good idea of what Christ was all about.

edit: I would suggest the King James version and if you later find that you really want to study it, try to find (or maybe just borrow) an interlinear bible in Hebrew & Greek. Or a Strong's concordance. Both are good supplements to study.

edit.... again: A lot of people feel that newer versions have watered down the Bible in order to give it more modern language. I'm sure you're smart enough to get past the old language in the KJV.

The link below also has concordances and dictionaries, original Hebrew and Greek translations, etc.

Answer 9

Sorry, I'm Wiccan here, I don't know the different versions of the bible. But i do know that she wont go to hell. There is no hell. I was Catholic once, but I don't know any names of the bible. But that doesn't matter. She wouldn't really love you if she lets religion get in the way. If she's not, then you got a good girlfriend. And you shouldn't let her parents get in the way either. They really don't have a say if you both really love each other. Good luck though.

Happy Holidays.

Answer 10

the bible gives out the same message no matter what translation you have.... some of the older translations is like reading shakespere... haha its kind of hard to understand.. all of the thous and things like that... the new world translation is the one that i have found to be useful to me. but it is up to you. most bibles do not mention gods name in it also.. so whatever bible you chose make sure your read the fine print in the front and back of the bible and it will tell you that they have taken things out or added things.. many bibles i have seen say that they have removed the name YHWH or Yahweh, or as i chose to say it.. Jehovah.


in my religion... everyone goes to hell technically... haha
hell is the comon grave.. when you die... you are usually put in the common grave or under ground. the bible says jesus actually goes to hell..

"Neither was [Jesus] forsaken in Hades [hell, King James Version] nor did his flesh see corruption."* (Acts 2:31) Where was the hell to which even Jesus went? The apostle Paul wrote: "I handed on to you . . . that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures; and that he was buried, yes, that he has been raised up the third day according to the Scriptures." (1 Corinthians 15:3, 4) So Jesus was in hell or the grave.

the bible says to marry within the lord... in my religion she would probably be talked to an encoraged not to date you or marry you just because.. it is very hard to be a faithfull christian when the person you love the most does not believe what you believe... you are supposed to have dealings with those who have the same faith as you so that you can up build them and they can upbuild you spiritually. you cant exactly up build her or be the spiritual head of the house because.. you do not bleieve in these things. she is still free to make her own choices.