What do you think of the Bible?

Terri2 · Post by **Terri2** » 24 Jan 2007, 09:26

Well the Torah/Bible/Quran is the most famous book of all time. It's allegedly written by God, which according to the Judeo-Christian/Islamic religions is the only God.

Have you read these religious texts? Have you read the Bible? All of it? What do you think of it?

kaytie · Post by **kaytie** » 25 Jan 2007, 00:59

I've read much of the Quran and The Bible both. I have not read any of the Torah, mostly because I didn't study it at university.

I think, with all the translations and the edits and the political changes in all three texts it is impossible to say that current editions are anything but the creations of humans, and as humans, they are contradictory in nature.

They do, however, contain some beautiful writing and imagery, some incredibly interesting stories, lots of blood, lust, love, excitement, and crazy deaths. They have also influenced modern literature such that I think it's important for readers and writers to at least have studied the major stories within them. To fully dismiss them as literature is shortsighted.

As to my beliefs? I classify myself as a freethinker.

sleepydumpling · Post by **sleepydumpling** » 25 Jan 2007, 04:23

I've read the Bible and found it a fascinating read. At it's root level the message is pretty basic. But as Kaytie mentioned, the translations, edits and changes over time have complicated the matter somewhat.

One of these days I'll read the Quran and the Torah.

knightss · Post by **knightss** » 25 Jan 2007, 09:45

it's funny how mistranslations can become a prophecy "I suppose the scholars of the Septuagint could at least be said to have started something big when they mistranslated the Hebrew word for 'young woman' into the Greek word for 'virgin', coming up with the prophecy: 'Behold a virgin shall conceive and bear a son...'" That's from Dawkins book The Shelfish Gene. Dawkins is a known atheist but this mistranslation is pretty much excepted by all biblical scholars. Interesting stuff.

Tmritz · Post by **Tmritz** » 03 Feb 2007, 11:11

I have read the Bible. My dad used to always say "Read the Bible and it will scare the Hell out of you."

I feel that because it was edited by man we need to look at it as such. We know without question that there are several mistranslated words and phrases. We should also look at some of the books that were not included. Do I think it was written by God? No. Do I think some of the original books were inspired by God? Yes

Also rather you are reading the Bible or Quran or Torah it is all the same God. There is only one so it must be, right? It is all in the interpretation.

complimentarymatters · Post by **complimentarymatters** » 05 Dec 2007, 20:35

The Torah is what Jewish people call the first testament of the Bible. That's because they don't believe in the second testament. Christians are simply Jews who believe Jesus was the messiah. Jews believe that Jesus was not the messiah and that the messiah has not come yet. At least that's how I understand it.

SeoulChild · Post by **SeoulChild** » 13 Mar 2008, 23:11

I've read most of the Bible...minus some of the minor prophets. My favorite part is most definitely Genesis. A really good book...The Beginning of Wisdom (I forget the author), but it really brings the Bible to life as a philosophical and practical outlook on the patriarchs and traditional creationism!!

Tracey Neal · Post by **Tracey Neal** » 14 Mar 2008, 05:19

The Bible and the Quran, I've read them both, more than once. I respect and marvel all religion's to a certain degree. Revelation's can be very hard to interpret.
I like Genesis,Exodus,Ruth,Psalms,Proverbs,Isaiah,Ezekiel,Matthew,Mark,Luke,John,Romans,1&2 Corinthians,1&2 Peter,Hebrews,Revelation. I don't read the bible anymore though. But (all) religion's and God intrigue me.

KaeMartyndale · Post by **KaeMartyndale** » 14 Mar 2008, 10:22

I have read the bible. Not all of it granted, I am merely not that ambitious, but I have read sections of it. However, I definitely have some problems with it. Firstly, as a piece of literature, I find that I just can't get into it. My mind is distracted by all of the extra stuff. "And X, son of Y, grandson of Z, from such and such..." I suppose I'm merely being shallow, but I have a hard time getting to the main point with all the extra stuff in the way. Granted, I haven't attempted to read the Bible in YEARS, so I'm sure my comprehension skills have increased somewhat. And, don't tell my pastor father that.

On the other hand, as a religious text, I have, as you have all mentioned, other problems with it. This is a book written by man, edited by man, and interpreted by man (and all his associated political and personal agendas). So whether or not this book was 'inspired' by God, or not, I believe that it cannot be taken literally. And as much as I would love to believe I was reading the word of God, I can't shake this extra baggage associated with Christianity. The history, the abuses, the hypocrisy, the prejudice... I know Christian people who have really great hearts, and the best of intentions, but Christianity as a whole has too many negative connotations for my taste.

sleepydumpling · Post by **sleepydumpling** » 14 Mar 2008, 12:43

Personally I think all major religions have their problems, and it's all about the interpretation of the texts. No one is without it's bloodshed and hypocrisy. Sadly, it's the "violent minority" of fundamentalists that interpret the texts in the way that SUITS their agenda, that ruin it for the rest of the folks of the faith (the silent majority).

knightss · Post by **knightss** » 14 Mar 2008, 12:49

Mmm, very true. The major religions serve as a basis of morality.. the problem is when people start thinking 'god wants me to do this..' to kill another or yourself for your religion is absurd.. what's the point of God putting us here if He wants us to kill each other?

KaeMartyndale · Post by **KaeMartyndale** » 14 Mar 2008, 13:03

knightss wrote:what's the point of God putting us here if He wants us to kill each other?

I totally agree. I wish that religion was automatically associated with humanity and compassion, rather than prejudice and hate. For example, (some people) using the bible as a basis for "proving" that homosexual individuals are wrong. I can't help but cringe when they use religion against others, instead of merely accepting that they are human and that their life is worth while. Shouldn't the worth of human life be the first important aspect of religion?

Okay - I don't know if I'm making sense anymore. I think I'm just ranting.

Tracey Neal · Post by **Tracey Neal** » 14 Mar 2008, 13:13

sleepydumpling wrote:Personally I think all major religions have their problems, and it's all about the interpretation of the texts. No one is without it's bloodshed and hypocrisy. Sadly, it's the "violent minority" of fundamentalists that interpret the texts in the way that SUITS their agenda, that ruin it for the rest of the folks of the faith (the silent majority).

I really agree and respect what you say on this subject, I think religion is a very hard thing to discuss at times, or rather it is for me, because truthfully what I believe in today, might change tomorrow. And religion right now eludes me. Thats just me being honest as I can about this subject and the Bible. But I really like your statement on this.

sleepydumpling · Post by **sleepydumpling** » 14 Mar 2008, 17:32

Personally, my faith, I believe anyway, teaches me to LOVE, respect and accept others. It doesn't teach me to convert others, to hate them for their sins, to commit acts of violence in any form etc... but there are other followers of the same faith as me who will swear that it actually does.

I think it's all about ones core values. If your values are strong and fair, then whatever your faith, you're going to be someone who is accepting and giving. If your values are violent, hateful an angry... then you're going to be that way, and you'll just use faith as an excuse to be that way.

Does that make sense?

Tracey Neal · Post by **Tracey Neal** » 14 Mar 2008, 18:51

sleepydumpling wrote:Personally, my faith, I believe anyway, teaches me to LOVE, respect and accept others. It doesn't teach me to convert others, to hate them for their sins, to commit acts of violence in any form etc... but there are other followers of the same faith as me who will swear that it actually does.

I think it's all about ones core values. If your values are strong and fair, then whatever your faith, you're going to be someone who is accepting and giving. If your values are violent, hateful an angry... then you're going to be that way, and you'll just use faith as an excuse to be that way.

Does that make sense?

Yes it makes sense, you brought up a very good point about "ones core values"...and using your religion..( faith) as an excuse to inflict pain and suffering on others. Thats where we need hope...hope is something we all need when confronting issues such as this. Hope for a better tomorrow, and no matter what our faith, hoping for peace is something we should all keep in our hearts. And of course LOVE...one can never go wrong with love

Um there's a partial passage from the bible I would like to share and no one has to agree, I just think its beautiful..but here it is..1 Corinthians Chapter 13 verses 4-8

4 Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant,
5 does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered,
6 does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth;
7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
8 Love never fails;

I like that