At school I hear comments on Jesus not existing and the bible is only a useless book. In my opinion it is not I believe that Jesus exists. You might think this is a usless thread but i`m open to other people`s opinions.
ex: The Bible is real because there is proof such as the cities who were detroyed and ended up under the Dead Sea they actually found the ruins under there! To precise things I mean the stories that were written last time I checked even Einstein couldn`t think of story like that ain`t I right?

The bible also says there is an invisable man in the sky who watches us wank.

The Bible is some great mythology and understanding it is VERY important for studying and understanding Western History. The second we start discounting the cultural significance of mythology, folklore etc. is the second I stop being an atheist.

Though I strongly feel that The Bible should be taken as Folklore/Mythology and not as the infallable word of God.

EDIT: Also, every Atheist should read the bible in as much entirety as they can, it broadens understanding.

It is more a social book than religious, show that everyone sin, and you can find some pretty good advice in it.

I wrote a more articulate post on the same topic many months ago. (Might have been the original 'Why all the hate on Christianity?' thread)

The essential gist of it was that the Bible was written during a time where we did not have science to tell us otherwise. Imagine you sent a fictional story back in time to the first age of the bible. If someone found and read this book without knowledge is was fiction, they could spread the story of this book as a truth. If enough people believed, the story becomes rumor, whispers between townsfolk. People are scared, the world is a terrifying place, they're willing to believe anything that will give them hope over their smelly peasant lives. Eventually the story is accepted as truth, because people want to believe.

I suggest a filter where any topics or posts with religion and/or religious words are automatically deleted.

Some people just can't respect other peoples beliefs so we may as well just nip it in the bud before they turn into hate topics.

The bible is just a book. If yer worshippin' the bible, yer doin it rong.
It was written so long after the events, and then translated so many times, I put little stock in it. Its all about learning morality, really.
I mean, they translated "rays of light" to horns, and now Moses is depicted with pointy things growin' outta his head.
Of course, the guy with the, "King Jame's Bible, third edition is the word of God" bumpersticker begs to differ.

ThePlasmatizer:
I suggest a filter where any topics or posts with religion and/or religous words are automatically deleted.

So like 30% of the entire forum? And half of the articles?

canadian_ace:
In my opinion it is not I believe that Jesus exists.

What!?

On topic though, the Bible can teach people about mythology and folklore, and is good to read to children, not to convert them, but just as stories and compassion and kindness.

Neosage:

ThePlasmatizer:
I suggest a filter where any topics or posts with religion and/or religous words are automatically deleted.

So like 30% of the entire forum? And half of the articles?

It's because we have a few really ardent atheists/agnostics and a few really ardent Christians on this forum, and these things always fall into a debate between one or another member of either camp.

The bible isn't just a book, it's a veeeeeery long book.

needausername:

canadian_ace:
In my opinion it is not I believe that Jesus exists.

What!?

He doesn't believe in christianity, he gave an example of someone who might.

Personally, I think the bible is just a book. Does that suddenly mean it is worthless? No. Plenty of things that are 'just books' have inspired change and changed the way we view things. 1984 and Brave New World helped bring back in the concept of a totalitarian government and just why those things are evil, The Crucible went on about the dangers of McCarthyism and witch hunts in general, and though I didn't much care for it Lord of the Flies reminded us that however 'civilized' we may be we all still have a dark side that needs to be kept in check. War of the Worlds was a wonderful anti-imperialist argument.

These books have affected the opinions of people, they have taught lessons. They are, therefor, not worthless since they have changed the world. Even in the smallest amount. The bible has done the same, and though I disagree with a number of its teachings I also find its stances on charity (mixed as they are) and kindness towards you enemies (again, mixed as they are) admirable.

PedroSteckecilo:

It's because we have a few really ardent atheists/agnostics and a few really ardent Christians on this forum, and these things always fall into a debate between one or another member of either camp.

I'll debate you. Yeah. Take that.

canadian_ace:
The Bible is real because there is proof such as the cities who were detroyed and ended up under the Dead Sea they actually found the ruins under there!

... Because they found ruined cities in The Dead Sea that were mentioned in the bible, it means the bible is real? Explain the logic in that for me

im not religious and have never read the bible (i tried once just to see what it was like but didn't get through the first page). to me, it is just a book. i understand that to some it is more than that and thats fine, it's just not for me!

It's the Book.

(capitalization intentional)

I'm rather split on this topic. As an anti-theist I do know that the bible is 1 part propaganda, two parts hate-speach, one part "supposedly" good life lessons. I would say that if not completely abolished, the bible should at least be something kept out of the hands of impressionable youth and religious zealots. But the other side of me is very anti-censorship, so I also have a hard time believing any book should be completely removed from the world.

TGLT:
Personally, I think the bible is just a book.

These books have affected the opinions of people, they have taught lessons. They are, therefor, not worthless since they have changed the world. Even in the smallest amount. The bible has done the same, and though I disagree with a number of its teachings I also find its stances on charity (mixed as they are) and kindness towards you enemies (again, mixed as they are) admirable.

PedroSteckecilo:

It's because we have a few really ardent atheists/agnostics and a few really ardent Christians on this forum, and these things always fall into a debate between one or another member of either camp.

I'll debate you. Yeah. Take that.

Except we'd have a really silly discussion given that I agree with what you just said...

I'm pretty firmly in the Ardent Agnostic camp (Have your beliefs, don't try to run peoples lives).

PedroSteckecilo:

TGLT:
Personally, I think the bible is just a book.

These books have affected the opinions of people, they have taught lessons. They are, therefor, not worthless since they have changed the world. Even in the smallest amount. The bible has done the same, and though I disagree with a number of its teachings I also find its stances on charity (mixed as they are) and kindness towards you enemies (again, mixed as they are) admirable.

PedroSteckecilo:

It's because we have a few really ardent atheists/agnostics and a few really ardent Christians on this forum, and these things always fall into a debate between one or another member of either camp.

I'll debate you. Yeah. Take that.

Except we'd have a really silly discussion given that I agree with what you just said...

I'm pretty firmly in the Ardent Agnostic camp (Have your beliefs, don't try to run peoples lives).

Hey, shut up. I'm trying to burn you here. With a witty zinger. Yeah. So you take it, and you take it to the bank, and you give it some serious thought about whether you should cash it or not.

I do think a lot of debates on forums would go a lot more smoothly if people would realize they're debating humans, not dictators or demons. Those guys get their own forums.

why don't just rename the topic to is there a god, cos essentially that is the topic. Secondly just because it refers to cities that existed when it was written, does not make it true. I could write some bullshit involving some deity and then include the names of places in the uk's coastline, and in so many thousand years, people would then try and use that as proof of my mytholigal creature existing. Seriously religion should be based soley on faith, and should have fuck all to with any text, because anyone can write anything at any time.

It's a very useful resource for studying Christianity or religions in general, so no it's not just a book. This is not a matter of opinion, this is a fact.

The Bible is actually more of an anthology of collected works, gathering together lore from the early days of Abrahamic tribes along with later material collated from letters by founders of the Christian church. Taken in that context I say it's a very important book, containing as it does the foundational myths of much of Western society.

Those who insist that the Bible (in any of its many translations) is a literal transcript of instructions from their particular choice of Invisible Sky Guy do drive me batty, as it's plainly clear for many translations that the process was decidedly one performed by us fallable mortals. Taken in that context, I'd say it's "just" a book.

-- Steve

PedroSteckecilo:
The Bible is some great mythology and understanding it is VERY important for studying and understanding Western History. The second we start discounting the cultural significance of mythology, folklore etc. is the second I stop being an atheist.

Though I strongly feel that The Bible should be taken as Folklore/Mythology and not as the infallable word of God.

EDIT: Also, every Atheist should read the bible in as much entirety as they can, it broadens understanding.

Yep!

I am a Pagan but I still reckon the Bible is a pretty important book. Certainly no other book has had as much influence as that particular one.

I think the title of this thread says it all.... "Just a book".

It is just a book. But there are books, and then there are books. How much of an impact has 1984 had on the modern psyche? What about the works of Shakespeare? And Charles Dickens books are invoked often when people discuss the imbalances of society.

You might not believe what it contains... and that's fair enough. I certainly don't. But that doesn't make what it contains worthless.

Neosage:
the bible alsoo says there is an invisable man in the sky who watches us wank.

BRILLIANT! I laughed so hard when I read this! Well done to you sir.

RetiarySword:

Neosage:
the bible alsoo says there is an invisable man in the sky who watches us wank.

BRILLIANT! I laughed so hard when I read this! Well done to you sir.

Why thank you.

No; it's a book that led to the deaths of millions of people across history.

Books don't kill people, people kill people - or should we just go around banning The Communist Manifesto, the Quran, Aristotle's writings, etc.?

EzraPound:

No; it's a book that led to the deaths of millions of people across history.

Books don't kill people, people kill people - or should we just go around banning The Communist Manifesto, the Quran, Aristotle's writings, etc.?

Don't even bother trying to talk sense into the militant fundamentalist atheist crowd (not the normal atheists of course). It is like trying to explain to Fred Phelps that homosexuals don't drink blood.

cuddly_tomato:

EzraPound:

No; it's a book that led to the deaths of millions of people across history.

Books don't kill people, people kill people - or should we just go around banning The Communist Manifesto, the Quran, Aristotle's writings, etc.?

Don't even bother trying to talk sense into the militant fundamentalist atheist crowd (not the normal atheists of course). It is like trying to explain to Fred Phelps that homosexuals don't drink blood.

People who want to kill people will find a way and a justification to kill people. I try to only rail against Christians when they try to redifine science and other such things.

Neosage:
The bible also says there is an invisable man in the sky who watches us wank.

Ha, well you see the thing is, it doesn't. I'm not Christian, I'm not in on that racket, but it really bothers me how people say "There's a big invisible space man with magical powers!" That's as inappropriate as people saying "A monkey fell out of a tree one day and became man" and claiming that's an accurate description of evolution.

When it comes to the OP's question, I think your use of the word 'book' is a tad confusing. I'm assuming you mean a work of fiction? I don't believe the Bible is entirely fictional, but I do believe it is not entirely literal either. In fact the best bits are metaphorical.

cuddly_tomato:

EzraPound:

No; it's a book that led to the deaths of millions of people across history.

Books don't kill people, people kill people - or should we just go around banning The Communist Manifesto, the Quran, Aristotle's writings, etc.?

Don't even bother trying to talk sense into the militant fundamentalist atheist crowd (not the normal atheists of course). It is like trying to explain to Fred Phelps that homosexuals don't drink blood.

A lot of vampires these days are pretty gay...

I always found the 'militant' denominator kind of pointless and just a little insulting. All extremists are, generally, bad for other people. Why then are some termed militant and others just called extremists? I've only heard of militant atheists and militant lesbians, never extremist atheists or lesbians. But then I've so rarely heard of militant Christians.

I don't know, personally I feel militant should be reserved for people who are actively violent, but then again that's all semantics isn't it?

Extremists are usually bad news. They are blind, they are unreasonable, and very quick to violence. Usually. I suppose an extremist humanitarian would be blind, unreasonable, or quick to violence, but that's another can of worms.

Personally I don't think every word in the bible verbatum is from god, but I do think it contains the word of god. It may not be the only text to do so, I don't know for sure, but its at least one of them. Sadly a few people take everything in it to the letter and cause problems because of it, and others write it all off because they can't accept that not everything is as black and white as they would like or that reality may have more to it than what they can directly control.

I think Jesus was real, i think that when you avoid the tireless skewing both of the above people tend to put his words though that they help people who follow them lead a happier life and I think if more professed christians stopped obsessing over the organized religion aspect and just went with the spirit of what was said the world would be a better place.

Neosage:
The bible also says there is an invisable man in the sky who watches us wank.

i LoLd the second i read that, nice one.

It's obviously only a book. How could it be otherwise? Even if it were more, how can the discrepancies between different translations be explained?

This is not to say there's nothing of value in it.

Short answer: Yes
Long answer: YYYYYYEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSS