I thought the atheist Bible was actually the website of the Amazing Randi and the JFEF forum. Perhaps it's the Richard Dawkin's best seller or the Chris Hitchen's books. I just think atheists have their own so-called Bible's to read.
We say God created us. Then we figure out we weren't created at all. Why isn't that the end of the story?
Hundreds of generations with indoctrination. It's why religion targets children (or at least why religions that target children are the biggest ones). Get them before they know any better.
I thought the atheist Bible was actually the website of the Amazing Randi and the JFEF forum. Perhaps it's the Richard Dawkin's best seller or the Chris Hitchen's books. I just think atheists have their own so-called Bible's to read.
I have to disagree with your definitions here Richard
Humans are indeed a product of natural selection itself, but humans selecting traits in organisms to propagate throughout subsequent generations isn't natural selection. Remember, natural selection isn't purpose driven, whereas ours is. It is artificial selection, or selective breeding. It's an entire field of biology!
I know; I was being a bit mischevious, I should apologise to havana actually. Sorry havana.
I read science books so it certainly is not strange for an atheist to read the bible. It is just expanding your mind and educating yoruself in the beliefs of others, even if you critically evaluate those beliefs. Without education we would still be cave men. I am planning on reading the Qur'an. So many people live by its word, it makes sense for me to what to know what it is all about. It's all very interesting really, whether you beleive in or not.
I read science books so it certainly is not strange for an atheist to read the bible. It is just expanding your mind and educating yoruself in the beliefs of others, even if you critically evaluate those beliefs. Without education we would still be cave men. I am planning on reading the Qur'an. So many people live by its word, it makes sense for me to what to know what it is all about. It's all very interesting really, whether you beleive in or not.
Just like santa told kids to be good.
Or Hermione Granger said Oculus Reparo.
In my opinion, if you "pay attention" to anything in the bible, you're a bit of a nut job.
That's pretty harsh....I was not well versed on the Bible in childhood and certainly haven't picked one up in years but I do know atheists and agnostics alike who do find value in the teachings of Jesus....they don't regard him as a Messiah or in a mythical sense but they can read the Sermon on the Mount and more of his teachings and find something in them they both respect and admire....I view Jesus as a great teacher...whether he is mythical or was a real person...
I would also suggest the Tibetian Book of the Dead and the Kaballah...they both have a great deal to offer regardless of your beliefs and of course....The Gnostic Gospels which I find give more of a 3D view of Jesus than the Bible..they seem to go much deeper..
That's pretty harsh....I was not well versed on the Bible in childhood and certainly haven't picked one up in years but I do know atheists and agnostics alike who do find value in the teachings of Jesus....they don't regard him as a Messiah or in a mythical sense but they can read the Sermon on the Mount and more of his teachings and find something in them they both respect and admire....I view Jesus as a great teacher...whether he is mythical or was a real person...
For once I have to agree with you. Barring the stuff about salvation only through him and his father etc much of what Christ is reported to have said can be seen as fine humanist ethics and aspirations.
That's pretty harsh....I was not well versed on the Bible in childhood and certainly haven't picked one up in years but I do know atheists and agnostics alike who do find value in the teachings of Jesus....they don't regard him as a Messiah or in a mythical sense but they can read the Sermon on the Mount and more of his teachings and find something in them they both respect and admire....I view Jesus as a great teacher...whether he is mythical or was a real person...
I prefer Dumbledore. Better still, Gandalf. He has some cracking wisdom. Even as a fictional character, there's not a great deal of value in the NT - and what little there is, hugely contradicts every word of the OT so that invalidates it. I think people overstate its value as 'wisdom' or a blueprint of how to live your life.
I couldn't give two shiny ones about its alleged impact.
I'm only concerned with whether it's true or not.
Alleged impact? I'm sure you've heard of discriminatory Christian faith schools that we all have to pay for and of unelected Bishops in the Lords for starters?
Aren't you interested in whether things are true or not?
Not really. I am a God believer, but do not think the goings on in the bible were true. Can we not all enjoy a bit of fiction?
It's history anyway, we will never know if it was true or not but some folk enjoy it and find it intriguing whilst others for whatever reason do understand it to be true and get some kind of peace from it.
Comments
Just like santa told kids to be good.
Or Hermione Granger said Oculus Reparo.
In my opinion, if you "pay attention" to anything in the bible, you're a bit of a nut job.
Hundreds of generations with indoctrination. It's why religion targets children (or at least why religions that target children are the biggest ones). Get them before they know any better.
Hilarious and very original. Congratulations.
So true. It's child abuse.
I know; I was being a bit mischevious, I should apologise to havana actually. Sorry havana.
Well said ladymoanalot.
That's pretty harsh....I was not well versed on the Bible in childhood and certainly haven't picked one up in years but I do know atheists and agnostics alike who do find value in the teachings of Jesus....they don't regard him as a Messiah or in a mythical sense but they can read the Sermon on the Mount and more of his teachings and find something in them they both respect and admire....I view Jesus as a great teacher...whether he is mythical or was a real person...
For once I have to agree with you. Barring the stuff about salvation only through him and his father etc much of what Christ is reported to have said can be seen as fine humanist ethics and aspirations.
I prefer Dumbledore. Better still, Gandalf. He has some cracking wisdom. Even as a fictional character, there's not a great deal of value in the NT - and what little there is, hugely contradicts every word of the OT so that invalidates it. I think people overstate its value as 'wisdom' or a blueprint of how to live your life.
As mojo said, maybe that's a bit harsh ...
However, you quoted me and think you may have thought Im christian, I was raised as one, but reject the faith and have no belief in it at all.
That's must include both believers and non-believers then:)
I do even though I don't believe it is based on actual events.
More fool you if you don't. You don't think it's had and continues to have a huge impact on our society?
I'm only concerned with whether it's true or not.
How come?
Alleged impact? I'm sure you've heard of discriminatory Christian faith schools that we all have to pay for and of unelected Bishops in the Lords for starters?
Not really. I am a God believer, but do not think the goings on in the bible were true. Can we not all enjoy a bit of fiction?
It's history anyway, we will never know if it was true or not but some folk enjoy it and find it intriguing whilst others for whatever reason do understand it to be true and get some kind of peace from it.
That seems to suggest that whatever you believe is fiction - i.e. that you know that what you believe is untrue.
I think it highly likely the Bible is fiction. I do believe in higher power though.