Revelations is really trippy, I like that a lot.
I was expecting it to be more like Godzilla, but it was more like Angels in the Outfield.
6/10
Ecclesiastes is a good buddhist book.
I was encouraged to start reading the bible after hearing a Julia Sweeny monologue in which she posed a rhetorical questions to bible toters, “Have you people actually read that book?” I was also encouraged after attending a Lutheran study on “human sexuality”, which was really about homosexuality.
Of course the Old Testament proscriptions against homosexuality are right in there with the death penalty for adultery - Lev 20:10 - , laws banning anyone with a “blemish” from approaching the altar - Lev 21:17-23, and the business about unclean women.
The New Testament discussion of homosexuality, as far as I can tell, comes from the writings of Paul. Jesus says nothing directly about homosexuality. Upon reading the Gospels straight through for the first time, I was surprised to find that he says a lot more about divorce - Matthew 19:9, Mark 10:11-12. Somehow these verses never make it into the Sunday readings from the pulpit.
I found some inconsistencies as I read, which to me puts the claim of biblical inerrancy right out the window.
The story of Abraham was unsettling as well. God tells him to kill his beloved son, and just when he’s about to follow through, he says, “Just kidding.” What kind of god is that?
There are many references to slavery, none of which comes anywhere near saying that it’s wrong.
I found myself actually starting to look for more inconsistencies and strange stories. I found them, but I also found a lot uplifting passages and truths along the way.
I am nowhere near finishing it, but I suspect I’d find plenty of additional things that would pull me both toward and away from the bible.