Greetings. I’ve gotten to a point in my life (and this may, again, change) where I don’t have much, if any, faith in religion. I’ve come to believe that the Bible (and other religious books) are mostly supposed to be guides for all of us on how to treat one another and other creatures on the planet and that’s pretty much it. I know I’m probably opening up a “can of worms” by asking this, but: Does the Bible do more for you than just serve as a guide on how to behave towards others?
I don’t recall Jesus dictating any books or asking people to take notes. His teachings were pretty straight forward. WWJD doesn’t require any ceremonies or in depth deciphering.
The most I ever got out of religion was a radio preacher in the Louisville area. I use to drive down there on occasion and looked forward to finding him on the AM dial. He talked about life in general and how to deal with it. If he were in my area I would go to his sermons. Beyond that I have no use for the rituals of religion.
If The Bible actually served that function, it would be pretty important, but, frankly, I am not convinced that it does, or at least that it does that very well. Most of it is quite irrelevant as moral guidance, and what is on (that) topic is full of contradiction and ambiguity.
On the other hand, if you want to understand “western” culture, the society we live in, and its historical roots, The Bible is an absolutely key document (even for the understanding of nonbelievers).
I don’t consider the Bible to be a moral framework, but njtt is absolutely correct: if you want to have any critical or deep understanding of western society and culture, you need to be familiar with the Bible, just like you need to be familiar with Greek and Roman mythos.
Are you going to be crippled socially without knowing about it? Not really, but you’re going to miss a whole lot of references and antecedents.
Hollow it out to store an emergency pistol or flask?
It’s an interesting exploration of human psychology. That’s about it.
It’s self-contradictory enough to create hundreds(if not thousands) of different religious groups that spend enough time fighting with each other that they cannot effectively wage war on others any more. If all the groups that followed the Bible actually united I would have to go into hiding.
For me it helped me see things differently, understand why things happen and make sense of the world and understand the meaning of life and our place in the universe.
So I give it 5 stars
YMMV
As an atheist, it has no religious value to me, nor any as a guide. It is an important historical document, though (in a similar vein to The Aeneid, since it’s a mix of fact and fiction.)
I do not understand why people need anything more than “treat others as you would wish to be treated” as a guide on how to behave towards others.
It is a common mythology. The introduction of Bulfinch’s Mythology (if memoy serves me) talks about the importance of a shared mythology. The Bible is that for most of us who grew up in Christian dominated countries. I am not a believer at all but I use Bible references all the time and am generally understood.
I see it used far more often as a guide on how to behave badly towards others, personally.
As for other uses, I do find it useful as the source for a few cool sounding quotes. I’ve always liked “My name is Legion: for we are many” and its variations for example.
Well, that system breaks down a little once you run into a guy who likes being hung blindfolded from the ceiling and slathered in Miracle Whip. 
It is the resource that helps me understand God, others and myself. It provides me with clear guidance and points me to truth. The more I study it, the more I find there.
I had no idea this quote was from the Bible. Sounds like it’s from a Russell Crowe movie. 
Same here.
A good smitin’ is always a pick me up!
It’s an important work of history (even if it’s a mixture of legends and real history).
It’s got some solid moral philosophy in it although that’s also a mix of good and bad.
It’s a central work in western culture so you’ll need to be familiar with it to understand a lot of other references.
And sections of it have genuine literary merit.
So you should definitely read it. At least most of it anyway. Just keep a critical mind as you’re going along.
The good thing about being Catholic is that we have a guy who reads the bible for us so we don’t have to waste our own time.
What good are you?
I am glad they are always in Motels. It comes in handy to fix that wobbly table that is always there.
I would hate to use it to tell me how to treat people, that would frequently turn out wrong.