Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Steven Carr · 05-30-2007, 01:38 PM

Somebody is reading the Bible and recording his thoughts as he goes through

http://www.slate.com/id/2167186/

'A bunch of very dreary chapters...'

My impression of America is of a very religious country.

Presumably everybody reads one chapter of the Bible each day....

Cege · 05-30-2007, 07:17 PM

"Presume not that ye be not presumed."- Hezekiah 8:8

I've read most of David Plotz (self-described proud but not very observant Jew) plotzing through the Bible (What happens when an ignoramus reads the Good Book?) and find it very enjoyable reading. Plotz takes the Torah a chapter or two or three at a time, beginning with Genesis and gives the read a contemporary look-see. His stated goal is "... is pretty simple. I want to find out what happens when an ignorant person actually reads the book on which his religion is based. I think I'm in the same position as many other lazy but faithful people (Christians, Jews, Moslems, Hindus). I love Judaism; I love (most of) the lessons it has taught me about how to live in the world; and yet I realized I am fundamentally ignorant about its foundation, its essential document.

Plotz takes a dedicated look at the book which he'd long taken for granted--much like I have done for the past 40+ years. He's made it into Chronicles, and oh! how I hope he'll decide to break with (what I assume to be Jewish) tradition, then read through and comment on the NT as well as the Torah.

CalUWxBill · 05-30-2007, 11:59 PM

Well he's certainly covered the Torah (first five books). I've been burning through the historical part of the OT the last week or so, and used his blog as a pseudo-bible study. The touch of humor makes it more fun to read than a hardcore commentary. I have an NIV and have to hide my face from the study notes. Everything in the OT points to Jesus somehow in the study note. Anyway I've never read it cover to cover and thought it'd be interesting. I knew it was brutal, but in some sense I'm surprised just how brutal it is. Told from the authors' perspectives certainly light is shed better on God's manners and morals versus somethings we may emphasize today and even not tolerate (ie, slavery, women's rights, etc).

05-30-2007, 01:38 PM	#1
Steven Carr Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: England Posts: 5,629	Blogging the Bible Somebody is reading the Bible and recording his thoughts as he goes through http://www.slate.com/id/2167186/ 'A bunch of very dreary chapters...' My impression of America is of a very religious country. Presumably everybody reads one chapter of the Bible each day....

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05-30-2007, 07:17 PM	#2
Cege Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: 36078 Posts: 849	"Presume not that ye be not presumed."- Hezekiah 8:8 I've read most of David Plotz (self-described proud but not very observant Jew) plotzing through the Bible (What happens when an ignoramus reads the Good Book?) and find it very enjoyable reading. Plotz takes the Torah a chapter or two or three at a time, beginning with Genesis and gives the read a contemporary look-see. His stated goal is "... is pretty simple. I want to find out what happens when an ignorant person actually reads the book on which his religion is based. I think I'm in the same position as many other lazy but faithful people (Christians, Jews, Moslems, Hindus). I love Judaism; I love (most of) the lessons it has taught me about how to live in the world; and yet I realized I am fundamentally ignorant about its foundation, its essential document. Plotz takes a dedicated look at the book which he'd long taken for granted--much like I have done for the past 40+ years. He's made it into Chronicles, and oh! how I hope he'll decide to break with (what I assume to be Jewish) tradition, then read through and comment on the NT as well as the Torah.

05-30-2007, 11:59 PM	#3
CalUWxBill Regular Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 133	Well he's certainly covered the Torah (first five books). I've been burning through the historical part of the OT the last week or so, and used his blog as a pseudo-bible study. The touch of humor makes it more fun to read than a hardcore commentary. I have an NIV and have to hide my face from the study notes. Everything in the OT points to Jesus somehow in the study note. Anyway I've never read it cover to cover and thought it'd be interesting. I knew it was brutal, but in some sense I'm surprised just how brutal it is. Told from the authors' perspectives certainly light is shed better on God's manners and morals versus somethings we may emphasize today and even not tolerate (ie, slavery, women's rights, etc).

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