# What good is the Bible? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 5, 2014, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-good-is-the-bible/687718 "2014-05-05T16:01:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![racepug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f1d935/32.png) [@racepug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/racepug)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2014, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-good-is-the-bible/687718/1 "2014-05-05T16:01:42Z")
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? ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2014, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-good-is-the-bible/687718/2 "2014-05-05T16:27:13Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![njtt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ecd19e/32.png) [@njtt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/njtt)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2014, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-good-is-the-bible/687718/3 "2014-05-05T16:35:31Z")
> [@racepug](#): > > Does the Bible do more for you than just serve as a guide on how to behave towards others? 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). ---
**Author:** ![Lasciel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e79b87/32.png) [@Lasciel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lasciel)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2014, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-good-is-the-bible/687718/4 "2014-05-05T16:46:22Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Zebra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c0e974/32.png) [@Zebra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zebra)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2014, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-good-is-the-bible/687718/5 "2014-05-05T16:48:22Z")
Hollow it out to store an emergency pistol or flask? ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2014, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-good-is-the-bible/687718/6 "2014-05-05T16:50:23Z")
It’s an interesting exploration of human psychology. That’s about it. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2014, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-good-is-the-bible/687718/7 "2014-05-05T16:54:12Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2014, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-good-is-the-bible/687718/8 "2014-05-05T16:56:47Z")
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 ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2014, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-good-is-the-bible/687718/9 "2014-05-05T17:02:23Z")
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.) ---
**Author:** ![Revtim](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revtim/32/1042_2.png) [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2014, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-good-is-the-bible/687718/10 "2014-05-05T17:11:20Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![shiftless](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9c0ed/32.png) [@shiftless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shiftless)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2014, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-good-is-the-bible/687718/11 "2014-05-05T17:19:45Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2014, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-good-is-the-bible/687718/12 "2014-05-05T18:20:41Z")
> [@racepug](#): > > 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 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. > [@Revtim](#): > > 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. 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. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![as\_u\_wish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/6f9a4e/32.png) [@as\_u\_wish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/as_u_wish)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2014, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-good-is-the-bible/687718/13 "2014-05-05T18:21:26Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2014, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-good-is-the-bible/687718/14 "2014-05-05T18:26:22Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > … > 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 … I had no idea this quote was from the Bible. Sounds like it’s from a Russell Crowe movie. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2014, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-good-is-the-bible/687718/16 "2014-05-05T19:32:51Z")
> [@beavweav](#): > > I like the bible for those moments when I just need a pick me up with a positive message Same here. > [@Judges 3:12-15](#): > > Now the sons of Israel again did evil in the sight of the Lord. So the Lord strengthened Eglon the king of Moab against Israel, because they had done evil in the sight of the Lord. And he gathered to himself the sons of Ammon and Amalek; and he went and defeated Israel, and they possessed the city of the palm trees. The sons of Israel served Eglon the king of Moab eighteen years. > > But when the sons of Israel cried to the Lord, the Lord raised up a deliverer for them, Ehud the son of Gera, the Benjamite, a left-handed man . And the sons of Israel sent tribute by him to Eglon the king of Moab. Ehud made himself a sword which had two edges, a cubit in length, and he bound it on his right thigh under his cloak. He presented the tribute to Eglon king of Moab. Now Eglon was a very fat man It came about when he had finished presenting the tribute, that he sent away the people who had carried the tribute. But he himself turned back from the idols which were at Gilgal, and said, “I have a secret message for you, O king.” And Eglon said, “Keep silence.” And all who attended him left him. > > Ehud came to him while he was sitting alone in his cool roof chamber. And Ehud said, “I have a message from God for you.” And he arose from his seat. Ehud stretched out his left hand, took the sword from his right thigh and thrust it into . Then Ehud went out into the vestibule and shut the doors of the roof chamber behind him, and locked them. > > When he had gone out, Eglon’s servants came and looked, and behold, the doors of the roof chamber were locked; and they said, “He is only relieving himself in the cool room.” They waited until they became anxious; but behold, he did not open the doors of the roof chamber. Therefore they took the key and opened them, and behold, their master had fallen to the floor dead. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2014, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-good-is-the-bible/687718/17 "2014-05-05T20:15:53Z")
A good smitin’ is always a pick me up! ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2014, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-good-is-the-bible/687718/18 "2014-05-05T20:41:32Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2014, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-good-is-the-bible/687718/19 "2014-05-05T21:22:59Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![dougie\_monty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@dougie\_monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougie_monty)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2014, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-good-is-the-bible/687718/20 "2014-05-06T15:52:57Z")
> [@racepug](#): > > 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? What good are _you?_ ---
**Author:** ![Lanzy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/74df32/32.png) [@Lanzy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lanzy)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2014, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-good-is-the-bible/687718/21 "2014-05-06T16:07:30Z")
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. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-good-is-the-bible/687718.md?page=2)