To use the bible and not believe anyways (blood, experience, atheist) - - City-Data Forum

Smedskjaer · 04-06-2011, 08:18 AM

Who here uses the bible as a way to live bu doesn't believe in god anyways?

Nozzferrahhtoo · 04-06-2011, 08:57 AM

Not solely and I doubt there are too many who do because the one thing you realise when you do not subscribe to the idea of a god, is that the Bible is simply one book in a massive collection of moral philosophy that we have available to us.

As a species it pays for us to make ourselves aware of ALL such literature, and bring our ever increasing knowledge, wisdom and experience to the pages of them all in search of the most ideal ways we can live our lives.

By all means atheists should read the bible. It is another stepping stone in a sequence of literature on human moral philosophy. Using it solely as a way to live while precluding all other books on philosophy and morality however is not advised. Even the religious do not often do that, with most religious people picking and choosing the parts they morally agree with and disregarding the rest. Many people who claim to be religious have not even read the bible themselves, thinking they know what is in it.

As some light entertainment however AJ Jacobs book "A year of living biblically" is worth a read as he does try to live his life solely by the mandates of the bible, with comical results.

SeekerSA · 04-06-2011, 09:15 AM

Secular laws suffice, no need for myths.

Milleka · 04-06-2011, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smedskjaer

Who here uses the bible as a way to live bu doesn't believe in god anyways?

There's some good stuff in there like, "Love thy neighbor", "Thou shalt not kill", and so forth. I, personally, have not "dusted" mine off in several years. There are so many discrepancies in it that it should not be considered a moral compass. "Love thy neighbor... unless they occupy the land you want and then you can take out bloody vengance." "Thou shalt not kill... unless another nomadic desert tribe has 'dissed' you."

Nozzferrahhtoo · 04-06-2011, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Milleka

There are so many discrepancies in it that it should not be considered a moral compass. "Love thy neighbor... unless they occupy the land you want and then you can take out bloody vengance." "Thou shalt not kill... unless another nomadic desert tribe has 'dissed' you."

The golden rule is another dodgy one to subscribe to too heavily. Clearly it is a rule that is only as good as the person saying it.

If someone for example were into being beaten, hurt, or even killed... clearly we do not want him to treat others as he wants to be treated.

I get the intention behind it, but taking it too literally would make it a bad rule too.

Milleka · 04-06-2011, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nozzferrahhtoo

The golden rule is another dodgy one to subscribe to too heavily. Clearly it is a rule that is only as good as the person saying it.

If someone for example were into being beaten, hurt, or even killed... clearly we do not want him to treat others as he wants to be treated.

I get the intention behind it, but taking it too literally would make it a bad rule too.

True. Yikes- I never thought of a masochist abiding by the Golden Rule.

photolitherland · 04-07-2011, 09:34 PM

Uhm, why would anyone use the Bible for their moral guidelines in life if they were atheist or non religious? The Bibles moral guidelines are pretty retarded, a 3 year old should know its bad to kill, steal, etc.

jackmccullough · 04-08-2011, 07:35 AM

Well, I avoid eating shellfish and I don't commit adultery or covet my neighbor's ass; on the other hand, I eat pork, and wear clothing of mixed fiber content and I don't keep any day "holy", so I guess i would say I have other places to look for moral guidance.

TKramar · 04-08-2011, 08:57 AM

The only basis I have for living my life is: what's best for me? If it benefits someone else, I don't do it. If it doesn't benefit me, I don't do it. Everything is done for the benefit of #1.

Eresh · 04-08-2011, 10:05 AM

A lot of people have a strong moral compass without ever reading a bible. Some of it might happen to coincide (not killing or stealing, being nice to others, etc.), but remember that correlation doesn't mean there is a causal effect. Reading the bible doesn't make one a good person, just as not reading it doesn't make one a bad person.