Chris Weimer

Immaculate conception of the Roman Catholic Church states that both Mary and Jesus were born divinely, not just Jesus. Definitely see the cult of Isis coming through at this point in tradition.

Sheshbazzar

It seems self apparent to me that most of the Atheist's that post in this forum have read the Bible more thoroughly, have a better understanding of its teachings, are (usually) more honest in evaluating its inconsistencies, and its moral conundrums, than the majority of so called Christians that I have encountered.
So that if 'liking the Bible', could be measured by the amount of attention actually directed toward ALL of its contents, and to the handling the Word of Elohim honestly, by not attempting to twist and harness its contents to serve the arcane dogmas of fabricated religious doctrines, Then in my view, most Atheist's certainly "like the Bible" more than those religionists who main use of it is as a tool to coerce their own biased and distorted agenda's upon their fellow men.
Many Atheist's have made the Bible and its teachings the centerpiece of their lives, devoting untold hours to its teachings, examining it a thousand times closer than those professing to be its adherents, because it exercises their intellect more than other literature.
Thus while some Atheist's will with their tongue and with their pen, endeavor to vilify the Bible, do with their time and intellect, give its words a reverence exceeding that of the 'believers'.
I account it no big thing that a certain amount of empty foolishness is disseminated on here, for this I have also encountered in every denomination and sect, But I have found here a measure of honesty, and of integrity that in truth exceeds any that I have found elsewhere.
-Sheshbazzar-

Chili

Where have you been Lee? That is the message in Catholicsm for adults.

But I like Mary on Jan.1 when the new wine replaces the old human potion.

Chili

Good observation.

There are two ways to end religion in Christendom. One is to 'live out' the indoctrinated messages to arrive in fullness and the other is to study the bible to death and become an atheist.

Crimson Glory

Give me Job, Song Of Songs and a bunch of scattered good fables, keep Leviticus for a Monty Python movie, flush the rest to complete oblivion, Jesus and whole NT included.

Izdaari

Why yes, of course you can be an atheist and enjoy reading the Bible. But it is potentially dangerous to your lack of faith: you might start realizing it actually is true! :angel:

Toto

In another thread you claimed not to believe in the inerrancy of scripture, so in what sense is it "true"?

Do you know any atheist who was converted by reading the Bible? Many have become atheists by reading the Bible, but it seems inconceivable to me that someone could actually read the Bible and believe that it is divinely inspired.

mg01

Hmmm....

I don't think the Sumerian gods are real, but I like reading their myths.

I don't think the Babylonian gods are real, but I like reading their myths.

I don't think the Assyrian gods are real, but I like reading their myths.

I don't think the Greek gods are real, but I like reading Homer.

I don't think the Hindu gods are real, but I like reading the Upaniashads and Vedas.

I don't think the Japanese gods are real, but I like reading the Kojiki creation account.

I don't think the Etyptian gods are real, but I like reading about their myths.

I don't think YHWH, El, Yam, Chemosh, Baal, Asherah, Molech, Dagon, Shemesh, Ashtoreth, Ishtar, Nergal, Ashima, "host of the the sky", "goat demons", Liyliyth, Sikkuth, Kiyyun, Tehom, Leviathan, Mal'ach(s), or any other deities mentioned in the Bible are real, but I enjoy reading the Bible as well as other "non-canonical" works.

The same for the dozens of other cultures across the world that all have some sort of supernatural belief, which I don't think is real, yet I enjoy reading about their traditions.

What is so interesting about the Bible, is when looked at in poper historical context any reasonable person can easily see it for what it is. Yet still, it remains at the center of western religious tradition and as the ultimate symbol of faith. That despite it's obvious human origins, it is still viewed as a ticket to eternal salvation. Rationality is cast aside by human desire to find meaning and reason in life. That among all the religious/spiritual traditions on the planent, so many people regard those as "myth" and their on as the one true "religion".

Izdaari

Here's the relevant portion of what I said: "I don't believe the Bible is inerrant, or "verbally inspired". I do believe it's divinely inspired, but not dictated word-for-word. I trust it as God's "owner's manual" for the human race, but I don't think it's free of human influence and therefore error."

Does something have to be absolutely free from all error to be true? This is not mathematics we're talking about, nor deductive logic, but more like history and poetry.

Hmm, C.S. Lewis. His autobiography is quite interesting.

Diogenes the Cynic

I think the Bible is a fascinating and important library of ancient Judean literature. I like so me books and dislike other books. I also like Homer and Gilgamesh and lots of Eastern literature.