Freethought & Rationalism Archive

TimeGoddess · 08-19-2003, 04:13 PM

It seems to me that some xtians say you need to read the Bible in order to understand the truth. I'm also under the impression that many of them never read more than a passage or two at a time, completely plucked out for the subject at hand and not presented in context.
..but.. my question here is based on my impression that many atheists here have read the Bible.
I have read about 3/4s of it. Kinda boring, some exciting scenes and nice bedtime stories, but mostly its a very poorly written sci-fi book.
Thanks for your time!

Speedy-Lube · 08-19-2003, 04:26 PM

I doubt its a good read all the way through.

The main character isn't a real force until halfway through, it goes off on many tangents.

Overall story arch is confusing and many of the characters are one-dimensional. Though short on deep meaning, there is plenty of action and romance, and a fair amount of historical appeal.

2/5 Stars.

Mageth · 08-19-2003, 04:46 PM

Jesus gives it a big "Thumbs Up":

That has to be one of the worst paintings ever, BTW.

Division By Zero · 08-19-2003, 05:18 PM

I've read parts of it, but it's just so damn boring, my eyes would turn to dust and my brain into cold chili if I tried to read it straight through. The salvation of my eternal soul is not worth the sacrifice in the here-and-now.

By the way, cool username, TimeGoddess.

Pierre Bezukhov · 08-19-2003, 05:37 PM

Old Testament - twice.
New Testament - four or five times.

Isaiah - what a whackjob!

Heathen · 08-19-2003, 05:53 PM

I've read some of it, but it's too boring for me to bother reading the whole thing.

Doubting Didymus · 08-19-2003, 05:59 PM

I stopped at leviticus. I don't read cheap horror novels.

catalyst · 08-19-2003, 06:12 PM

Cover to cover. Twice. And I found it more confusing the second time.

I can be a glutton for punishment, I suppose.

jkizer · 08-19-2003, 06:34 PM

Cover-to-cover when I was 5. Except for John, which my parents thought was "the most important" gospel, I didn't spend any significant amount of time reading it during the next 12 years. When I started questioning my belief, I started reading it parts of it again.

faust · 08-19-2003, 06:44 PM

I'm kinda surprised. I figured I would be one who had read it the least, and I've read it countless times. Considering cover to cover maybe 6-7, then at least 50-60 times chapter by chapter, and that's probably a low estimate. I went to catholic school all my life which probably explains it, and also means i've read "bigger bibles" :P

Lots 'o bible reading went on at school. None at home. phew.

View Poll Results: Have you read the Bible?
Yes, or most of it anyway.	64	53.78%
No, only parts or less	54	45.38%
Don't know/Can't read	1	0.84%
Voters: 119. This poll is closed

08-19-2003, 04:13 PM	#1
TimeGoddess Regular Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Central Iowa Posts: 120	Have you read the Bible? It seems to me that some xtians say you need to read the Bible in order to understand the truth. I'm also under the impression that many of them never read more than a passage or two at a time, completely plucked out for the subject at hand and not presented in context. ..but.. my question here is based on my impression that many atheists here have read the Bible. I have read about 3/4s of it. Kinda boring, some exciting scenes and nice bedtime stories, but mostly its a very poorly written sci-fi book. Thanks for your time!

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08-19-2003, 04:26 PM	#2
Speedy-Lube Regular Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Kentucky Posts: 488	I doubt its a good read all the way through. The main character isn't a real force until halfway through, it goes off on many tangents. Overall story arch is confusing and many of the characters are one-dimensional. Though short on deep meaning, there is plenty of action and romance, and a fair amount of historical appeal. 2/5 Stars.

08-19-2003, 04:46 PM	#3
Mageth Contributor Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Deep in the heart of mother-lovin' Texas Posts: 29,689	Jesus gives it a big "Thumbs Up": That has to be one of the worst paintings ever, BTW.

08-19-2003, 05:18 PM	#4
Division By Zero Regular Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: USA Posts: 179	I've read parts of it, but it's just so damn boring, my eyes would turn to dust and my brain into cold chili if I tried to read it straight through. The salvation of my eternal soul is not worth the sacrifice in the here-and-now. By the way, cool username, TimeGoddess.

08-19-2003, 05:37 PM	#5
Pierre Bezukhov Senior Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 882	Old Testament - twice. New Testament - four or five times. Isaiah - what a whackjob!

08-19-2003, 05:53 PM	#6
Heathen Regular Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Texas Posts: 200	I've read some of it, but it's too boring for me to bother reading the whole thing.

08-19-2003, 05:59 PM	#7
Doubting Didymus Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: East Coast. Australia. Posts: 5,455	I stopped at leviticus. I don't read cheap horror novels.

08-19-2003, 06:12 PM	#8
catalyst Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Florida Posts: 6,158	Cover to cover. Twice. And I found it more confusing the second time. I can be a glutton for punishment, I suppose.

08-19-2003, 06:34 PM	#9
jkizer Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Columbus, Ohio, USA Posts: 93	Cover-to-cover when I was 5. Except for John, which my parents thought was "the most important" gospel, I didn't spend any significant amount of time reading it during the next 12 years. When I started questioning my belief, I started reading it parts of it again.

08-19-2003, 06:44 PM	#10
faust Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: baton rouge, la Posts: 539	I'm kinda surprised. I figured I would be one who had read it the least, and I've read it countless times. Considering cover to cover maybe 6-7, then at least 50-60 times chapter by chapter, and that's probably a low estimate. I went to catholic school all my life which probably explains it, and also means i've read "bigger bibles" :P Lots 'o bible reading went on at school. None at home. phew.

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