The Bible

[txag007]

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you're really not well educated unless you've read the Bible. Cover to cover. Not because I think it would convert people, but because our entire way of life in the western world is based upon it

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Wasn't our western way of life founded on the OPPOSITION to theocracy?

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No.

[txag007]

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I'm an English major and athiest, and I approve this message.

However, because almost every Western author until about a hundred years ago crammed a ton of biblical references into their work, doesn't mean that it validates the Bible as true, which is what I'm sure your point is in posting this.

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I do believe the Bible is true, but that wasn't my point in posting this.

[MidGe]

I agree that any rounding of education cannot be achieved without reading the bible and the koran. I would suggest that this be done very critically. It will become quickly apparent that the bible (the koran less so) is not a very coherent of consistent work and is full of contradictions and inplausibilities. The most important conclusion that one will come to, is that it is a monstrosity, to represent either of those books as moral guidance, in any way. What more, it will make one wonder about the mental gymnastics required of the believers to continue those claims. It does highlight a far bigger problem to realise that such a large portion of humanity is capable to be in such denial, or under the influence of delusions, when the word is there for all to see!

[madnak]

It's an important work of literature. One of many.

[Nincompoop]

I basically agree. It's hard to claim you are "well read" or "well educated" in our culture if you haven't read the Bible. Simply depends on your reference points though. There's nothing particularly inherently great about being considered well read or well educated in our culture anyway. Read it if you're interested, otherwise don't. As someone above mentioned there is as much wisdom to be gained in countless other works of literature or mythology.

[txag007]

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[ QUOTE ]
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you're really not well educated unless you've read the Bible. Cover to cover. Not because I think it would convert people, but because our entire way of life in the western world is based upon it

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Wasn't our western way of life founded on the OPPOSITION to theocracy?

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No.

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We were founded on the opposition of the state influencing the church, not the church influencing the state.

[KikoSanchez]

I think the sooner we all stop reading the bible, the fewer generations it will take before people WON'T have to read such a ridiculous book to be considered well-read. Do your offspring a favor and put that thing away. Then forget everything it said. Ignore the next person that speaks to you about it as you would an insane homeless person on the side of the road. I'm not saying burn all the churches, just leave the past to the past, the way we did with greek, norse, and egyptian mythology.

[FortunaMaximus]

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I basically agree. It's hard to claim you are "well read" or "well educated" in our culture if you haven't read the Bible. Simply depends on your reference points though. There's nothing particularly inherently great about being considered well read or well educated in our culture anyway. Read it if you're interested, otherwise don't. As someone above mentioned there is as much wisdom to be gained in countless other works of literature or mythology.

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Pretty much what I think. I eat peanut butter out of jars with forks, too. Tastes just as good.

[tolbiny]

I basically disagree. The bible is so widespread and absorvbed into western culture that even without reading it i have been exposed to largeportions of it throughout my life. Many of the storis of the Old and New testament i am familier with from various outlets from Pat robertson on TV to CS Lewis' fiction works, and simply reading the bible wouldn't signifigantly enhance that experience. Not only that if i wish to understand a particular aspect that is brough up in a debate i can walk down the street to a temple or church and find someone well educated whoi s willing (eager even) to discuss thier interpretation of that section.

[FortunaMaximus]

Well, a lot of Christian mythology (sorry, txag) is pretty well entrenched in our culture. That I can think of most of the biblical tales and relate them to an unknowing audience well enough, despite not having a church-going family or reading the bible.