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.
Very well written. I agree with this.
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.
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.
Why don’t you use toilet paper? Seems appropriate…
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.
Paper wrapper from Tampax brand tampon is another pseudo-rolling paper item of last resort. Amen.
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:
And all I have to write is: Ditto.
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.
I can make a hat or a brooch or a pterodactyl!
I wish I could hear that. Remember the station?
If it was Bob Russell of Southeast Christian Church, of the largest churches in the country, he retired in 2006.
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?
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.
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.
Good old * Fahrenheit 451…* 
Bibles in pockets have stopped bullets…
Maybe the type of person who carries a bible in their pocket attracts gunfire?!
From whom–Mencken’s readers? :mad:
Lighten up, Francis.