Christian friend says I need to read the Bible in order to understand (churches, prophecies)

[giorgiomax]

I was a Catholic by family for +20 years, but I didn't paid much attention nor cared for the Bible as it really wasn't all that "pushed" into us.

Any how, I opened my eyes and investigated to understand, I came back to neutral position(not believer) as the rational state for an honest beginning, so I haven't yet have any reason to believe.

I've seen "reviews" and opinions about religion, the Bible, science and etc.

My friend seem to just discard all stuff said and shown OUTSIDE the Bible and asked to just read it to understand its integrity and truth.

I asked him how a Book can confirm itself as being true, with no external neutral verification?

Shouldn't that be like believing someone about a HUGE claim that requires to condition our way of life just because he says so?

I can't grasp how a 2000 yrs old book be our guide in understanding life, our world and our Universe while working for a living and diving into the book on our spare time instead of looking outside, exploring and understanding what it has been already discovered and being studied. Fair enough, leaving the complex stuff for the specialists(space, medicine, etc.). And of course, living our life upon our understanding and organization.

And even if it were a scientific book it would be obsolete anyway, science itself would not allow any wrong or non solid scientific ideas.

I told him that I really feel there's too many reasons already to discard reading the Bible, although I granted that it would be good to read it as in at least knowing what I'm actually rejecting, but that I kind of already know what I'm rejecting.
I was honest and told him I really didn't feel like it, to read a big book and trying to analyze it by myself, when there's already a bunch of specific analysis from people I have many valid reasons to rely on(they happen to be the ones who gave us the vaccines, what we know about the World, the Universe, our bodies, thinkers, philosophers, etc.)

More over, I told him that he may argument that I'd need to read it in order to understand it but surely NOT in order to reject it, otherwise, I would also need to study all the other Faith Books, and stories and faith ideas in current and ancient times, which is irrational in itself.

So, how a book can be enough reason in itself to make something evident?
by the way, if I'm making the wrong question, please let me know.

[SeekerSA]

Your friend has not read the bible either, just parts of it. The bible is the best tool for atheism when studied properly IOW read and tested against the evidence for authenticity and the stuff that really never happened. This is not reading the bible in a year with a guide book explaining what you just read.

Most believers have no knowledge of biblical origins and historicity that is why they remain believers.

[TRANSPONDER]

Originally Posted by giorgiomax

I was a Catholic by family for +20 years, but I didn't paid much attention nor cared for the Bible as it really wasn't all that "pushed" into us.

Any how, I opened my eyes and investigated to understand, I came back to neutral position(not believer) as the rational state for an honest beginning, so I haven't yet have any reason to believe.

I've seen "reviews" and opinions about religion, the Bible, science and etc.

My friend seem to just discard all stuff said and shown OUTSIDE the Bible and just read it to understand its integrity and truth.

I asked him how a Book can confirm itself as being true, with no external neutral verification?

Shouldn't that be like believing someone about a HUGE claim that requires to condition our way of life just because he says so?

I can't grasp how a 2000 yrs old book be our guide in understanding life, our world and our Universe while working for a living and diving into the book on our spare time instead of looking outside, exploring and understanding what it has already discovered and being studied. Fair enough, leaving the complex stuff for the specialists(space, medicine, etc.). And of course, living our life upon our understanding and organization.

And even if it were a scientific book it would be obsolete anyway, science itself would not allow any wrong or non solid scientific ideas.

I told him that I really feel there's too many reasons already to discard reading the Bible, although I granted that it would be good to read it as in at least knowing what I'm actually rejecting, but that I'm kind of already know what I'm rejecting.
I was honest and told him I really didn't feel like it, to read a big book and trying to analyze it by myself, when there's already a bunch of specific analysis from people I have many valid reasons to rely on(they happen to be the ones who gave us the vaccines, what we know about the World, the Universe, our bodies, thinkers, philosophers, etc.)

More over, I told him that he may argument that I'd need to read it in order to understand it but surely NOT in order to reject it, otherwise, I would need also to study all the other Faith Books, and stories and faith ideas in current and ancient times, which is irrational in itself.

So, how a book can be enough reason in itself to make something evident?
by the way, if I'm doing the wrong question, please let me know.

Oh, it's the right question. And like you, I was asked to consider the bible claims. If I have been left alone I'd probably not be here now arguing that it doesn't stack up, OT or New.

Many have lost a certain amount of belief in really reading the Bible. Others will say that many have become believers through reading it. So they shouldn't object to others doing so, then.

The thing I'd say is that the Bible makes claims and doesn't ask too many questions of itself.

The questions pop into the head of the reader and there are a myriad apologists ready to explain the questions away.

We goddless unbelievers are here to put the other side - that the Flood and Ark is unfeasible, that the prophecies actually don't work too well and the Jesus story is full of contradictions.

By all means, look at both sides - not just one side - and make your judgement.

[Nozzferrahhtoo]

I second the motion that you should read it. There are many good reasons to read it. So many in fact that Atheist Ireland, of which I am a founding member, runs a "Read the Bible" campaign to try and get more people to read it.

The reasons to read it are not just limited to religion either. Much of English Literature, from Shakespeare to Milton, goes over your head without a firm grounding in Biblical Literature. I would go so far as to say that I would like to see some study of Bible Text to be included in English Curriculum in my country and others.

[sunnyskies1]

Hmm, little nervous sticking my toe in behind the posts of a few ardent atheists but here goes. I will say that I have NO interest in debating religion with people as I have found it to be a VERY personal thing. I have NO proof of anything except what I have found to be true for myself. I understand this is the very crux of the atheists' argument, and that is fine. It is not my job to convince you of my beliefs. They are my truths, that's all you need to know.

I usually do not post in these religion sections but your question called to me. I have been raised Christian (not Catholic) for about the same amount of time you have. I have always considered myself Christian-lite, actually quite ignorant about a lot of their beliefs. Until I started teaching at a Catholic school. Until I started my job last September I have never had any interaction with the Catholic faith. I always assumed it was just like the Protestant faith except more strict. I was excited to learn more and stop being an ignorant Christian. I've been here for 6 1/2 months and have not learned anything new about Christianity.

I found that I knew more about the Bible and Christianity then life long Catholics. We have to go to Bible classes as new teachers. In these classes they do not use the Bible. I would sit there and listen to them say things and say to myself (internally) no no no, thats not right. I was the only there who could answer questions about scripture and I haven't been to church in two years. I've only taken one Bible class in my whole life.

I would say you know the Catholic religion, now give yourself a chance to learn the protestant religion. My religion doesn't come from any church or group of people. I don't go to church often, I don't read the Bible often. But I've learned from trying different things. I've tried different churches and found some GREAT fits that I've attended regularly until moving, and I've found some that have made me feel so uncomfortable that I've had to fight the overwhelming urge to leave in the middle of the service. The same is true with the Bible. I've read books about it and done personal studies where I have learned a great deal, and done ones that I just couldn't finish because I felt nothing. I say explore until you find what is true for you. It may be that being an atheist is true for you, but you won't know until you search and try different things.

[TRANSPONDER]

I don't think that many atheists here will take issue with your post. You are clearly thinking and finding what is useful for you. I don't have a problem with that.

I have a problem with flat assertions that such and such is true or something else is false and I have to put the counter - claim, because it is important to me that beliefs are based on sound reasoning and reliable facts.

[Eresh]

Some of the stories in the bible are actually a pretty good read. There's lots of drama, action, violence, murder, adultery, romance, etc. Like many of our modern literary and cinematic works, some of it makes you go "hmmm, veeeery interesting". (A good movie is one that keeps you talking about it after it's over, right?) Of course that doesn't make it any more true than our modern literary and cinematic works; I'm just saying that some of it isn't a bad read.

[giorgiomax]

Originally Posted by Eresh

Some of the stories in the bible are actually a pretty good read. There's lots of drama, action, violence, murder, adultery, romance, etc. Like many of our modern literary and cinematic works, some of it makes you go "hmmm, veeeery interesting". (A good movie is one that keeps you talking about it after it's over, right?) Of course that doesn't make it any more true than our modern literary and cinematic works; I'm just saying that some of it isn't a bad read.

I agree

I'm actually open to those interesting ideas, the ones that help us conceive meanings or understandings, or at least enjoy quality read.

[BigCityDreamer]

I think the Bible is one of the most interesting set of books to read in history. I recommend it for many reasons.

Believing in what you're reading is not one of them.

[Caltovegas]

My only issue is how people of the same faith can't seem to get along. It's been said Sunday is the most segregated day of the week. The same God. The same Book but separation of the followers. That just doesn't seem logical..