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)
;-)

[naomi24]

I can only speak for myself but I read the bible - various translations - and the Koran, the Book of Mormon, etc., etc., because I am interested in history, the history of religion and the psychology of the religious. I regard the New Testament as a jigsaw puzzle - a mystery awaiting solution.

//Why would a creationist read The God Delusion?//

I don’t believe many would. I have a scrap of a book on my shelf by Alister McGrath, a theologian and Christian apologist. Entitled ‘’The Dawkins Delusion’, it claims to be a refutation of Richard Dawkins’ work. In actual fact it is no more than a poor attempt at character assassination.

I once entered into an agreement with a religionist here. He was to read ‘The God Delusion’ and my task was to read a book he recommended - ‘Islam and the Destiny of Man’ by Gai Eaton, which still sits on my shelf. I kept my part of the bargain.

[emmie]

we read the bible at school, can't remember much of it now i admit.

[cassa333]

How can you know what you believe if you don’t educate yourself.

I came to realise I was an atheist when I read the bible as a child.

Even at that age I could tell fact from fantasy. And it was a whole bunch of fairy tails wrapped up in one book.

[nailit]

// I have a scrap of a book on my shelf by Alister McGrath, a theologian and Christian apologist. Entitled ‘’The Dawkins Delusion’, it claims to be a refutation of Richard Dawkins’ work. In actual fact it is no more than a poor attempt at character assassination//
I read that last year naomi, and yes, thats exactly what it was, a character assassination. Thats one book that I wont read again.

[nailit]

//Given your oft stated views on religion, specifically Christianity one might wonder if there's some confusion between 'labour of love' and 'self flagellation'//
You could have a point there Doug ... ;-)

[naomi24]

//Thats one book that I wont read again. //

Nor me, Nailit. Not a sensible word to be had there.

[nailit]

//Usually they're forced to at school and Sunday school//
Only selected bits though O-G.

[naomi24]

^That's true. Teachers never point you to the unsavoury bits.

[Khandro]

nailit. You might find it 'sick' that's a subjective view, you might find it irrelevant (ditto) but boring!! that I cannot understand.

[AuntPollyGrey]

I suppose an Atheist would read the Bible so they could give an educated reply in discussions with Christians. However, its beyond most people to remember the whole Bible verbatim so I can't really see the point, other than some self-righteous grandstanding.

[nailit]

//However, its beyond most people to remember the whole Bible verbatim//
Whos trying to remember it verbatim?

[AuntPollyGrey]

Why are you reading the whole Bible then? So you can use quotes when in discussion with your Evangelical work mates? If that's the case then you would have to pretty well know every aspect of the Bible from Creation to Revelation which is pretty impossible. 'Well I've read the whole Bible so what I say must be true' is a pretty limp argument in any Theological discussion!

[naomi24]

Apg, no one remembers the bible verbatim but those who are interested in it and have taken the trouble read it know what it contains. You’re clearly not interested, but others are so I don’t see why you have a problem with them reading it.

[AuntPollyGrey]

I have no problem with anyone reading anything from the Bible to the Beano . You have no idea what I'm interested in , nor what I've read, and if you did you would no doubt feel at least slightly embarrassed lol!

[naomi24]

apg, Why are you arguing then? Some people want to read it - some don't. Both are okay ... aren't they?

[jno]

same reason they read Bede's history of England: it may be unreliable, mainly because there aren't any alternative documents to check it against, but it's all we've got of the history of a tribe/nation that produced a worldwide religion.

If you aren't interested in the history of the Israelites and their legacy today, then no, I don't know why you'd read it: perhaps just as a weapon to use against believers?

[nailit]

//but boring!! that I cannot understand//
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Numbers+7&version=KJV
I defy anyone to read through that ^ without nodding off ;-)
(just one chapter amongst many)

[naomi24]

jno, //I don't know why you'd read it: perhaps just as a weapon to use against believers? //

I explained my reasons at 07.53. Nothing to do with using it as a weapon against believers.

[Llanfair]

You are a fool, nailit. A total anti-Christian who states that most Christians have not read the New Tesrtament, let alone the whole Bible. You may have met a few Christians but you have not met most and now want to do something you totally loathe for absolutely no purpose whatsoever.

[Samuraisan]

I see what you mean Nailit.....I read a bit. Didn't Moses do well !!!