why read a book if you know you do not believe in it? a lot of atheists and agnostics know more about the bible than most christians in this forum; what is the point of that, i dont get it? and did you give it a chance, or did you read it with the mindset that it wasnt real and you wanted to make fun of it? were you laughing at how stupid you thought it was the whole time?

Originally posted by EcstremeVenom
why read a book if you know you do not believe in it? a lot of atheists and agnostics know more about the bible than most christians in this forum; what is the point of that, i dont get it? and did you give it a chance, or did you read it with the mindset that it wasnt real and you wanted to make fun of it? were you laughing at how stupid you thought it was the whole time?

Originally posted by kirksey957
I don't get this thread at all. Look, Christians should be reading Richard Dawkins. They don't have to believe in him or what he says. Atheists can read the Bible and they don't have to believe in it. I can read Harry Potter without believing in it. You know people do read for enjoyment and learning and relaxation.

I was born in a mostly Roman Catholic country, so I was surrounded by people who believed and had been in contact with mostly Catholics all my life at that point (around 12/13).

Since I didn't feel anything close to faith, I decided to read it thoroughly to know what was this all about. I did it with the (somewhat naive) mindset of wanting to believe. However, reading it made me feel even further away from Roman Catholic beliefs and I became an atheist of sorts (at the time, I was too young to think of atheism as something other than non-RCC).

With time, my atheism began to make sense to me and as I read about religion I found more solid roots that where in accordance with my thoughts.

Originally posted by EcstremeVenom
but harry potter does not claim to be a true story; the bible does.

Originally posted by twhitehead
If Harry Potter started with the words "This is a true story.." would you then refuse to read it? There are a lot of old stories and fairy tales that claim to be true but everyone knows they are not. But that doesn't mean you cant read them.
Besides the Bible does not claim to be a true story because it cannot possibly refer to itself (unless you believe ...[text shortened]... God). The individual stories may claim that they are true but I don't think all of them do.

Originally posted by EcstremeVenom
why read a book if you know you do not believe in it? a lot of atheists and agnostics know more about the bible than most christians in this forum; what is the point of that, i dont get it? and did you give it a chance, or did you read it with the mindset that it wasnt real and you wanted to make fun of it? were you laughing at how stupid you thought it was the whole time?

Originally posted by Palynka
Let's get real. Who reads the Bible as if it were a literary work?

There are some who claim that their holy book is divine, and one is transcended when one reads it. Had I read the bible, and found it to be so immaculate it could only have been inspired by the divine, I would probably have converted. But instead I found the writing to be immoral and putrid.

There are also claims that the bible does not contradict, and this shows it is influenced by God. Another reason why an atheist may wish to read the bible, see that it does contradict, and not be shaken from their logical standpoint.

Originally posted by EcstremeVenom
why read a book if you know you do not believe in it? a lot of atheists and agnostics know more about the bible than most christians in this forum; what is the point of that, i dont get it? and did you give it a chance, or did you read it with the mindset that it wasnt real and you wanted to make fun of it? were you laughing at how stupid you thought it was the whole time?

Originally posted by EcstremeVenom
why read a book if you know you do not believe in it? a lot of atheists and agnostics know more about the bible than most christians in this forum; what is the point of that, i dont get it? and did you give it a chance, or did you read it with the mindset that it wasnt real and you wanted to make fun of it? were you laughing at how stupid you thought it was the whole time?

"Your words were found and I ate them, And Your word became to me the gladness and joy of my heart ..." (Jeremiah 15:16)

The prophet Jeremiah says he "ate" the words of God and gained joy and rejoicing in his heart.

I challenge anyone, if they start to read three chapters of the Bible each morning, after one week come back and tell me how your heart feels.

People talk about empirical evidence. Here's a test for them. Read aloud three chapters of the Bible every morning. If you don't want to read aloud, read softly. I encourage you though to use your mouth (not mandatory).

After one week of reading three chapters of the Bible each morning I predict that most likely will have joy and gladness in your heart.

Try it. Come back and tell us how your heart feels in a week. Now I suggest some books in the Bible:

The Gospel of John

The Gospel of Luke

The Gospel of Mark

The Gospel of Matthew

Genesis

Psalms

Exodus

Romans

Three chapters, every morning, for one week. I predict that you also will have noticiable joy and gladness in your heart. And people around you will notice the change.

Try it.

Originally posted by jaywill
Try it.

Originally posted by twhitehead
I just might do that after you send me proof that you have read aloud three chapters of the Qu'ran and Richard Dawkins book "The God Delusion" every morning for a month.
If not, then give me a credible reason why you shouldn't but I should do as you suggest.

Originally posted by Bad wolf
Actually the real question is why so many Christians believe what the bible says, and yet they have never read it. 😕