Why Would An Atheist Read The Bible?

[nailit]

Why would a creationist read The God Delusion?

Anyway, Ive set myself a goal (always lived my life by goal setting, it focus's the mind) to read the entire Bible...Genesis to Revelation...in 3 months!
Ive read the entire Bible before, but forgot much of it, and after a few conversations at work (with Evangelicals) Ive decided to read the lot again. After 14 days I am currently at the first few chapters of Deuteronomy. Have struggled (but persevered) through meaningless chapter after after chapter of animal sacrifices in Numbers to meaningless chapter after chapter of ridiculous laws in Leviticus, with endless repetitions of genealogies and the endless repetition of killing animals because it is a *Pleasing aroma before the Lord*

I can quiet understand why Bible believers have never read the Bible.
Its Boring.
Its sick
Its Immoral
Its irrelevant

But I'll read it!
Can Bible believers understand why I will?
(for the next couple of months at least)
;-)

[nailit]

Theland
//but it answers my essential questions//
How so?
What questions?

[nailit]

Some essential questions that I had as a believer (and now as a non-believer) were about morals, ethics etc. I thought that the bible would answer those questions?
It didn't!
So I would really appreciate a response from a bible apologist.

[Atheist]

Nail... polite question... Why do you post here? Are you seeking some reassurance that your atheist views are reasonable? Are you seeking to persuade an apparently intractable irrationalist that he should open his mind to reason? Are you just enjoying the cut and thrust of vigorous argument?

[nailit]

//Nail... polite question... Why do you post here? Are you seeking some reassurance that your atheist views are reasonable?//
No.

//Are you seeking to persuade an apparently intractable irrationalist that he should open his mind to reason?//
No.

//Are you just enjoying the cut and thrust of vigorous argument?//
Chance would be a fine thing!!

[Theland]

We go around in circles.
I get accused of not answering questions.
I get accused of posting YouTube videos, but they access top science lectures from experts in their fields.
I don't want a confrontational aggressive dialogue prone to sarcasm, insults and mocking, but a really friendly discussion and exchange of ideas and opinions would be delightful.

[Theland]

Atheist - You refer to me is an irrationalist.
Your mistake.
I am completely rational.
That is why I search for answers and naturalism has not given me any, unless I put my mind on hold and believe the irrationalism of scientists who demand that they can, but can't, answer the big questions.

[nailit]

Once again Theland, you totally ignore questions put to you and go into victim mode.
Typical religionist with religious mindset!
Ive been asked why I bother posting such questions as this one.
I wonder myself!

[Deskdiary]

I'm astonished this thread is still going!

I've never read the bible, and I've never read Dawkins.

I don't need to.

For me the very idea that people believe in a higher being where there is not a single shred of evidence, literally zero evidence, is just mental.

I'll go further - I think that people who do believe are (a) at the very very best, weak-minded, or (b) easily susceptible, or (c) thick, or (d) mentally ill, or a mixture of all four.

It is as simple as it's possible to be; we're born, we live, and then we die. That's it. Anybody who believes we go onto a higher plane, or that there's anything after death, is a dribbling certifiable moron.

[vulcan42]

\\ but a really friendly discussion and exchange of ideas and opinions would be delightful.//
It would be delightful if you did but you don't. Anytime you're asked to explain something, in other words, have a discussion, you post another video.

[Theland]

Nailit - See what I mean?
Desk diary perfectly illustrates my point.

Me a victim?
Be more lucid?

[Deskdiary]

I'm not sure of the point you think I've illustrated Theland - please tell.

[Theland]

I am totally exasperated by some of your responses.
And the responders are totally devoid of answers or ideas.
What's the point?
To persuade me to stick my thumb in my mouth and mutter, " Don't know, duh."

[Deskdiary]

The thing I struggle with - and I'm not being obtuse - the thing I really really struggle with is...

There is the same amount of proof in the existence of god as there is in the existence of leprachauns, fairies and trolls. None.

Yet...

We're meant to respect in the belief of god and accept it as normal, whereas if I swore blind in the belief of fairies, I'd be considered nuts.

Normal people can see this anomaly, but god believers cannot.

[nailit]

Theland, I asked you a very simple question @19:54.
Reiterated @ 20:02
You ignored it.
21:37 //I get accused of not answering questions//
^^Wonder why?

//I don't want a confrontational aggressive dialogue prone to sarcasm, insults and mocking//
Except when its you mocking and insulting evolutionists.

//but a really friendly discussion and exchange of ideas and opinions would be delightful//
Well, yes, it would be if you bothered to respond in the same vein (thats when you can be bothered to respond at all)

[Khandro]

Desk diary. // I've never read the bible, and I've never read Dawkins.
I don't need to.//

What have you read then?

[TheDevil]

Read the bible if you want doesn’t mean you’re christian. It’s a story make of it what you will. i never read Mr Tickle and then idolised him but then again he never told me to and he never threatened me if I didn’t or if I idolised another Mr man from the Mr men series.

[Theland]

Nailit - You may be happy to go through life not knowing the answer to the big questions.
I have found the Answer to the big questions, and answer that satisfies me.
So what's your problem?
You seem to have one.

[Theland]

What caused the universe to begin?
I have an answer that satisfies me.
How did life begin?
I have an answer that satisfies me.
How did self replicating proteins form?
I have an answer that satisfies me.
So I repeat, what is your problem with me holding my views?

[Mamyalynne]

I've read every word of this thread since it popped onto the screen and what I note is...

OP starts with a question.

//Why Would An Atheist Read The Bible?//

Then proceeds to answer that question in the next section.

Finishing with asking the reader if they understand his explanation.

My replies have indicated that I did understand Nailit's explanation and why he is doing it.

I am amazed there is so much more to be said really but it's been quite a read - again.

[Theland]

I guess this is the flesh and bones of Answerbank.
Jolly, happy, confrontational, but often interesting and entertaining.
Or am I wrong?