# 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:** 3
**Author:** ![Ellen\_Cherry](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellen_cherry/32/3600_2.png) [@Ellen\_Cherry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellen_Cherry)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2014, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-good-is-the-bible/687718/42 "2014-05-06T21:15:38Z")
So now we should drop this and move back to discussing things biblical. And I think IMHO would be a better place for expressing opinions. So, moving it there, from MPSIMS. ---
**Author:** ![ITR\_champion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c67d28/32.png) [@ITR\_champion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ITR_champion)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2014, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-good-is-the-bible/687718/43 "2014-05-06T21:32:13Z")
> [@Captain\_Ektar](#): > > But getting back to the point, the Bible is not merely another list of do’s and don’ts, whereby we can make sure we have more tallies in the do column to avoid a firey fate. But rather, it is the story of God’s redemption of a mankind that is much more adept at the don’ts than the dos. A story of hope and forgiveness for people who have noticed that they are much better at selfishness, pride, greed, lust, and hate, than they are at sacrifice, humility, generosity, chastity, and love. It is the story of mankind consistently failing to live morally, and what God did about it. Very well written. I agree with this. ---
**Author:** ![crono35](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f6c823/32.png) [@crono35](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crono35)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2014, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-good-is-the-bible/687718/44 "2014-05-06T21:54:26Z")
I think that oftentimes it’s difficult to distinguish the bible (or Christianity, or any religion in general) from the people that practice it. Unfortunately the believers that make themselves known are usually the extreme ones that give the overall concept a bad name. Too often people use religious texts to reinforce, rather than question, their own preconceptions. If you want to find hate in the bible, a reason to kill, a reason to discriminate or wage war, you’ll find it. If you want to find love, peace, or comfort, that’s there too. I’ll admit it’s near impossible to approach any religious text without some sort of bias- if the bible was full of teachings that we already find easy to follow, it would have very little purpose. Many parts of human nature go against Christian (or other religious) fundamentals that sometimes we need spiritual guidance to not self destruct. Are there plenty of people out there who act perfectly moral without any sort of spirituality? Definitely. But are there also people out there who turned their compulsive or disruptive lives around with the help of spirituality? Of course. OTOH, plenty of people’s lives have been destroyed or ended in the name of religion. Like I said before, you can find instances of anything you’re looking for in any religious text if you look hard enough. On another unrelated note, from a selfish perspective, the bible- for believers- is a guide to salvation. The teachings ultimately reward the user with eternal life. The bible doesn’t promise that belief will lead to happiness or wealth or fame, but rather the understanding that none of it will matter in the end. It’s this offer to remove the fear of death that many people find compelling. ---
**Author:** ![MrKnowItAll](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrknowitall/32/87_2.png) [@MrKnowItAll](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrKnowItAll)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2014, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-good-is-the-bible/687718/45 "2014-05-07T00:00:41Z")
I think that for even atheists, or believers of other faiths, the Bible is a valid work of literature. Psalms, The Song of Solomon, and Job are all worthy poetic works, with Job additionally being a treatise on the philosophical implications of man’s relation to his deity. Much of Genesis and Judges are worthy retellings of mythology tropes. Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount is an excellent lesson on living a good life, regardless of the faith; while most of the rest of his teaching is insightful into human nature and authentic living. Much of the prophetic works, from Isaiah to Revelation, make for interesting symbolic thinking. Even the historic sections with their shaky accuracy has some use as an examination of one side of a historical record. ---
**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 7, 2014, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-good-is-the-bible/687718/46 "2014-05-07T00:14:34Z")
> [@Skywatcher](#): > > At least you didn’t admit to rolling joints with _The Watchtower_. 😃 Why don’t you use toilet paper? Seems appropriate… ---
**Author:** ![GreenElf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9de053/32.png) [@GreenElf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreenElf)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2014, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-good-is-the-bible/687718/47 "2014-05-07T01:16:36Z")
The bible has a variety of uses. It can be used as a divinatory tool (bibliomancy). It can be a glimpse of the thoughts of people during that time period. It can be read as mythology or literature. It can be a Rorschach test to examine other people’s psychological profile and beliefs. It’s been interpreted in many ways including as an occult map of mankind. It can even provide some light reading, especially the Brick Bible version. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2014, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-good-is-the-bible/687718/48 "2014-05-07T01:51:25Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > In the interest of keeping this factual, wouldn’t breathing in the burned up ink on the page be bad for you? I mean potentially worse than breathing in regular smoke with out any ink. Paper wrapper from Tampax brand tampon is another pseudo-rolling paper item of last resort. Amen. ---
**Author:** ![ISiddiqui](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/97f17d/32.png) [@ISiddiqui](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ISiddiqui)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2014, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-good-is-the-bible/687718/49 "2014-05-07T02:57:37Z")
I was going to write a post about why I think the Bible is more than merely a set of moral principles, but then I read this: > [@Captain\_Ektar](#): > > But getting back to the point, the Bible is not merely another list of do’s and don’ts, whereby we can make sure we have more tallies in the do column to avoid a firey fate. But rather, it is the story of God’s redemption of a mankind that is much more adept at the don’ts than the dos. A story of hope and forgiveness for people who have noticed that they are much better at selfishness, pride, greed, lust, and hate, than they are at sacrifice, humility, generosity, chastity, and love. It is the story of mankind consistently failing to live morally, and what God did about it. And all I have to write is: Ditto. ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2014, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-good-is-the-bible/687718/50 "2014-05-07T03:13:23Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > In a pinch, a bible page can be used to roll a joint. I’ve heard. Blacken a part of a page with soot, cut it out, and give it to your captain as “The Black Spot.” Seriously, I agree with those who note the Bible’s role as one of the central quote-mines of our culture, and as a shared mythos. Also…it can be right good reading. Much of it is dead boring, but parts are quite engaging. There’s epic poetry, lyric poetry, high adventure, intrigue, and lots and lots of slayings and layings with. It isn’t as witty as the Odyssey, nor as coherent as The Divine Comedy, but it’s better than the Book of Mormon by a damn sight. ---
**Author:** ![Princhester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2014, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-good-is-the-bible/687718/51 "2014-05-07T03:45:46Z")
I can make a hat or a brooch or a pterodactyl! ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Pig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c57346/32.png) [@Little\_Pig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Pig)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2014, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-good-is-the-bible/687718/52 "2014-05-07T04:42:03Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > 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. I wish I could hear that. Remember the station? ---
**Author:** ![Ellen\_Cherry](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellen_cherry/32/3600_2.png) [@Ellen\_Cherry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellen_Cherry)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2014, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-good-is-the-bible/687718/53 "2014-05-07T16:07:06Z")
If it was Bob Russell of [Southeast Christian Church](http://www.southeastchristian.org/), of the largest churches in the country, he retired in 2006. ---
**Author:** ![SirGalahad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/71c47a/32.png) [@SirGalahad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SirGalahad)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2014, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-good-is-the-bible/687718/54 "2014-05-07T16:25:09Z")
> [@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? Besides being full of wisdom, “Cut the baby in half!” and action/ adventure, “Gimme that whip, ‘Hey money-changers, want a piece of me?’”, it preserves ancient oral traditions, gives important clues regarding Jewish culture and history, and is a nifty place to dry pressed flowers or hide a handgun. What can’t it do? ---
**Author:** ![FriarTed](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/friarted/32/1052_2.png) [@FriarTed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FriarTed)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2014, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-good-is-the-bible/687718/55 "2014-05-08T01:43:50Z")
> [@Captain\_Ektar](#): > > Well as a Christian I would say that if the Bible were just a set of moral guidelines it wouldn’t be terribly valuable. There is no shortage of religions with lists of rules to follow. So it’s like, get in line, you know? But in fact the Bible tells us that man already has the basics of morality written in his heart - a Natural Law, so to speak. I think we see this manifested in the many common, core morals across diverse cultures. > > But getting back to the point, the Bible is not merely another list of do’s and don’ts, whereby we can make sure we have more tallies in the do column to avoid a firey fate. But rather, it is the story of God’s redemption of a mankind that is much more adept at the don’ts than the dos. A story of hope and forgiveness for people who have noticed that they are much better at selfishness, pride, greed, lust, and hate, than they are at sacrifice, humility, generosity, chastity, and love. It is the story of mankind consistently failing to live morally, and what God did about it. > > (Note: I have no illusions about this being a popular viewpoint on these boards) I was wondering about chiming in, as I’ve found doing so on such topics here is often pretty useless, so kudos for saying it better that I probably would & for representing for the Faith. ---
**Author:** ![Count\_Blucher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Count\_Blucher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Blucher)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2014, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-good-is-the-bible/687718/56 "2014-05-08T04:16:18Z")
Either the Bible or the Koran can keep you alive in a pinch. The trick is to gather kindling first,tear the strips thin enough, & to always carry flint & steel. ---
**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 28, 2014, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-good-is-the-bible/687718/57 "2014-05-28T19:47:01Z")
Good old \* Fahrenheit 451…\* ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2014, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-good-is-the-bible/687718/58 "2014-05-28T23:45:49Z")
Bibles in pockets have stopped bullets… ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2014, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-good-is-the-bible/687718/59 "2014-05-28T23:55:31Z")
> [@Trinopus](#): > > Bibles in pockets have stopped bullets… Maybe the type of person who carries a bible in their pocket attracts gunfire?! ---
**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 29, 2014, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-good-is-the-bible/687718/60 "2014-05-29T00:31:11Z")
From whom–Mencken’s readers? :mad: ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2014, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-good-is-the-bible/687718/61 "2014-05-29T02:37:02Z")
Lighten up, Francis. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-good-is-the-bible/687718.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-good-is-the-bible/687718.md?page=4)