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Want to shake off your faith? Try reading your Bible…

Posted by James Tracy

I have always thought that perhaps if more Christians actually read their Bible closely they would be less inclined to be Christians, given some of the stuff that is in there.

theBEattitude writes how 32 years of being indoctrinated into Christianity suddenly came crumbling down when he examined more obscure parts of the Bible in more modern translations:

About eight years ago I purchased a New Living Translation Bible (NLT). I viewed this as a great resource since the verses were so much easier to read and interpret. About a year ago I wanted to deepen my Biblical literacy. So I began reading and studying many books of the Old Testament I had always ignored in my King James Bible.

Thus began my slow rejection of the Christian faith. As I studied the many horrific and ridiculous teachings, I soon realized that I had wasted 32 years of my life believing in a fairy tale. Churches do a great job of ignoring the ugly parts of the Bible. And with the book written in a confusing ancient dialect, it makes their job easy. (more…)

So, maybe the Bible itself is the best cure for Christian indoctrination. If anything, we can marvel at the sheer irony of this and congratulate theBeattitude for having the courage to reject Christianity despite the intense family and social pressures to conform.

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Posted on Friday, February 6th, 2009 at 4:37 pm in Religion, Stories.

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theBEattitude

Thanks James. If Christians would stop using their Bible as a paperweight, more people would wake up and see the book for what it is. I hope my story will inspire a few Christians to actually read their Bibles.

I'm still trying to understand why it took me 32 years to wake up. I will be doing an ongoing series of the Bible questions that lead to my rejection of Christianity.

My inherited Christian fear and guilt is mostly to blame for the delay. I would always feel guilty questioning the words of scripture. Ignoring them became my only option. The KJV Bible served as a nice excuse for me to not question Biblical teaching. If it's difficult to read, it's much easier to ignore and rely on the teaching of your local church

Good luck on the new web site!

» Posted on February 7, 2009 at 5:58 am

tony

It didn't take reading the obscure verses of the old testament to destroy my faith in faith. I reread the promises of answered prayer made by jesus and realized how much cherry picking was being done by anyone who believed those promises are true.

jesus word says your prayers will be answered as long as you belief in him and I spent decades believing in him but my prayers were not answered. One example of the promises: "And all things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive." (Matt 21).

Christians often say, your prayer got answered, it just isn't always the answer you want. The verse in Matt 21 doesn't agree with that. It says if you ask in prayer you will receive it.

It is amazing to me now the various mental tricks and justifications that get used to find a way around the fact that prayer doesn't get answered.

» Posted on February 7, 2009 at 7:18 pm

James Tracy

That is amazing to me as well. A friend of mine once had a small group of Christians publicly pray in front of an audience for some wounds on his elbows to heal. Of course, the wounds remained but they asked him, "Well, do you feel any better?" The wounds eventually healed….but only after several weeks.

» Posted on February 7, 2009 at 7:36 pm

James Tracy

A Christian actually told me once that he saw a person's finger grow back after being prayed for. The sad thing is I think he was dead serious. Of course, he had no actual proof of this.

» Posted on February 7, 2009 at 7:50 pm

tornado

If you want to really mess with their minds, ask them why god hates amputees. The problem with the examples of answered prayer in regards to healing, is that it is so easy to explain the natural or medicinal recovery as answered prayer. They can wiggle their way into answered prayer with anyone who lives. Except in the case of amputees.

I would start to regain my faith in faith if we could see examples of limb regeneration for a car accident victim, or a diabetes sufferer who has lost a limb.

» Posted on February 7, 2009 at 7:43 pm

Hambydammit

Presumably this is someone living in a first world country, right? If that had happened, wouldn't a doctor have taken a look at the new finger? Wouldn't a medical journal somewhere have been interested in the first documented case of appendage regeneration? Wouldn't Christians everywhere be delighted to have evidence that prayer actually works?

How anyone can believe such nonsense is a testament to human credulity.

» Posted on February 10, 2009 at 5:28 am

James Tracy

If I recall correctly, he indicated that it took place in a country somewhere in Asia. I asked him similar kinds of questions. It is surprisingly difficult to get some of these people to realize why anecdotal evidence is so problematic.

» Posted on February 10, 2009 at 6:33 am

Richard_Collins

Had the Bible been in clear straightforward language, had the ambiguities and contradictions been edited out, and had the language been constantly modernised to accord with contemporary taste it would almost certainly have been, or become, a work of lesser influence.

– John Kenneth Galbraith, Economics, Peace and Laughter (1971), quoted from Encarta Book of Quotations (1999)

» Posted on February 24, 2009 at 8:28 pm

James Tracy

The early editors of the bible could have done so much more to censor away the many contradictions and inconsistencies we find in the Bible. That they didn't tells you something about the religious mindset…

» Posted on February 25, 2009 at 4:59 pm

MSosa@email.com

tornado wrote: I would start to regain my faith in faith if we could see….

Bible-Prophecy wrote: SEEING VS. BELIEVING

The world says, "Seeing is believing."
Jesus' way is just the opposite.
Jesus said, "…If you believe, you would see…." (John 11:40).

» Posted on February 25, 2009 at 8:39 pm

tornado

I spent 30 years believing. Jesus promised answered prayer if I would abide in him. I certainly did and he didn't answer my prayers. John 14:13.

» Posted on February 25, 2009 at 8:49 pm

Bible-Prophecy

Woodrow Wilson (1856-1924), was the 28th President of the United States.
In his Inaugural Address, March 4, 1913, Woodrow Wilson recognized God in such expressions as :
"A man had deprived himself of the best there is in the world who has deprived himself of this,
a knowledge of the Bible. When you have read the Bible, you will know it is the Word of God,
because you will have found it the key to your own heart, your own happiness and your own duty.
I am sorry for the men who do not read the Bible every day. I wonder why they deprive themselves
of the strength and of the pleasure."

Reference: America's God & Country Encyclopedia of Quotations, by William J. Federer, p. 697.

» Posted on February 25, 2009 at 10:11 pm

tornado

It is because I've read the bible and followed it's words that i'm convinced it is not the word of god. Many christians cherry pick their experiences to support the words of the bible. Once you stop such cherry picking, you realize prayers do not get answered the way the bible says and you recognize it as the words of a bunch of ancient sheep herders, not the word of god.

» Posted on February 25, 2009 at 11:30 pm

James Tracy

So? I disagree with Woodrow Wilson. I have read the Bible and I do not know it is the Word of God. In fact, reading it convinces me that it isn't.

» Posted on February 26, 2009 at 1:47 am

Bible-Prophecy

James Tracy wrote:…I have read the Bible and I do not know it is the Word of God. In fact, reading it convinces me that it isn't.

Bible-Prophecy wrote: IS THE BIBLE THE WORD OF GOD?

The Holy Bible says, "All Scripture is God-breathed…." (2 Timothy 3:16).
Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. (2 Peter 1:20-21).

» Posted on February 26, 2009 at 2:00 am

Bible-Prophecy

tornado wrote: … prayers do not get answered….

Bible-Prophecy wrote: DO NOT GIVE UP PRAYING

The Holy Bible says, "…always pray and NOT give up." (Luke 18:1).
You will pray to Him (God), and He WILL hear you,…. (Job 22:27).
This is what the Lord says,…'Call to me and I will answer you
and tell you great and unsearchable things you do NOT know.
(Jeremiah 33:2-3).

» Posted on February 26, 2009 at 2:04 am

James Tracy

Quoting the Bible saying that it is the Word of God no more proves that it is the Word of God than quoting the Koran saying that it is the perfect dictation of God to Mohammad proves that it is either.

"This comment is God-breathed…"

Did you find that convincing, too? Or does that quotation just confirm what you already believe without evidence?

» Posted on February 26, 2009 at 2:07 am

Bible-Prophecy

James Tracy wrote: How many unanswered prayers does it take before you realize that you are only talking to yourself?

Bible-Prophecy wrote: WAITING ON GOD

The Holy Bible says, that God "acts on behalf of those who wait for Him." (Isaiah 64:4).
Blessed are all who wait for Him! (Isaiah 30:18).

» Posted on February 26, 2009 at 2:38 am

Bible-Prophecy

DO NOT LOSE HOPE

The Holy Bible says, Hope that is seen is no hope at all.
Who hopes for what he already has? (Romans 8:24).

But if we hope for what we do not yet have,
we wait for it patiently. (Romans 8:25).

The Lord is good to those whose hope is in Him,…(Lamentations 3:25).
Those who hope in Me will NOT be disappointed. (Isaiah 49:23).

Blessed is he…whose hope is in the Lord his God,…(Psalm 146:5).

» Posted on February 26, 2009 at 2:41 am

tornado

Classic cherry picking. Answered prayer is a big lie from a group that claim they don't lie. Answer the question posted earlier about why god hates amputees. Why won't he answer their prayers for healing? Easy to figure it out, god doesn't answer prayers. I hoped in god and was severely disappointed, he is the un-achiever of all times.

I've not lost hope, I still have that eternally. What I've lost is faith in god and the bible. And for good reason.

» Posted on February 26, 2009 at 2:45 am

Bible-Prophecy

THE EVIDENCE OF GOD

The Holy Bible says, "What may be known about God is plain to them,
because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world
God's invible qualities-His eternal power and divine nature HAVE BEEN CLEARLY SEEN being understood from what has been made, SO THAT MEN ARE WITHOUT EXCUSE. (Romans 1:19-20).

Lift your eyes and look to the heavens:
Who created all these things? (Isaiah 40:26).

» Posted on February 26, 2009 at 2:49 am

Bible-Prophecy

tornado wrote: What I've lost is faith in god and the bible.

Bible Prophecy wrote: LIVING BY FAITH

The righteous will live by faith. (Romans 1:17; Galatians 3:11; Habakkuk 2:4).
My righteous one will live by faith. And if he shrinks back, I will NOT be pleased with him. (Hebrews 10:38). Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith,….(Hebrews 10:22).
A faithful man will be richly blessed,…(Proverbs 28:20).

» Posted on February 26, 2009 at 3:00 am

tornado

God is not pleased with me? The god of the bible is a pedantic narcissistic fool. His son of the new testament isn't any better and is a liar to go along with it. I'm not pleased with either of them. They don't keep their word and they aren't reliable. Pretty much un-achievers.

» Posted on February 26, 2009 at 3:13 am

Bible-Prophecy

tornado wrote: I hoped in god and was severely disappointed,….

Bible-Prophecy wrote:

God or god? (To Capitalize or not to capitalize? )

When one Capitalizes (God) they are referencing "the one and only God"

The Holy Bible says, "I am the Lord, and there is no other; apart from me there is no God."
(Isaiah 45:5).

You are right in saying that God is one and there is NO other but him. (Mark 12:32).

And when god is written in lower case (god) they are referencing "the false god."

The Holy Bible says, How long will you love delusions and seek false gods. (Psalm 4:2).

God said,"You shall have NO other gods before Me." (Exodus 20:3).

» Posted on February 26, 2009 at 3:22 am

tornado

When I say "god" I'm referring to the god of the bible. Which is the false god. Thankfully there are plenty of false gods to go around so if you want to believe in a god, you can pick and choose which god or God you want.

Me, I'll keep referring to the god of the bible as god, or even dog because I prefer to blaspheme his name as much as possible. Blasphemy is fun and helpful to wipe away years of indoctrination. You should try it some time.

You still haven't addressed the question about why God hates amputees.

» Posted on February 26, 2009 at 3:52 am

James Tracy

How many unanswered prayers does it take before you realize that you are only talking to yourself?

Jesus says that if you ask for anything in his name then you will receive it. "And whatever you ask in my name, I will do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything of me in my name, I will do it." (John 14:13-14)

Want to put that to the test?

» Posted on February 26, 2009 at 2:14 am

James Tracy

You seem to be incapable of thinking on your own and it is starting to annoy me. If I started to quote endlessly from the Koran or the Book of Mormon to counter your claims would you be impressed at all?

» Posted on February 26, 2009 at 5:41 pm

James Tracy

It is like talking to a robot that endlessly recycles the same couple dozen Bible verses over and over again….

» Posted on February 26, 2009 at 5:42 pm

tornado

Yeah, I wonder how much we have to mock his dog, oops god, before he goes away and prays to himself once again. His statements about capitalizing dog were hilarious, I think that was the only time he spoke for himself, he certainly couldn't find any scripture that talks about dog being mocked by lower case letters.

He must be off looking for scriptures that explain why God hates amputees.

» Posted on February 26, 2009 at 6:06 pm

theBEattitude

You should change the topic title to "Want to shake off your faith? Try reading your Bible…Want to annoy people? Quote the Bible like a robot."

I just had a guy post 13 comments on my blog in less than an hour. Each comment loaded with bible verses to prove me wrong. "I'm right, you're wrong because the bible tells me so." They shouldn't use the bible as a weapon when it can so easily be used against them.

» Posted on February 26, 2009 at 7:59 pm

James Tracy

I got a free book of Mormon today! Maybe I should start quoting from that from now on in answer to anything that he says.

» Posted on February 26, 2009 at 10:59 pm

Richard_Collins

I think we have created a monster. At least our site counter is clicking along! We maybe need to post a forum rule against quoting bible verses.

» Posted on February 27, 2009 at 12:13 am

tornado

In order to keep that policy fair, that would prevent people like me from quoting the verses that have convinced me there is no biblical god.

What is the policy on blasphemy, I would assume it is ok as long as it doesn't include swearing? Or is it open slather?

» Posted on February 27, 2009 at 12:56 am

James Tracy

Quoting bible verses is OK with me as long as it is done in an intelligible way that actually contributes something to the conversation.

Bible-Prophecy's comments now must pass through moderation and I will not approve any that continue to mindlessly quote from the Bible.

» Posted on February 27, 2009 at 3:42 am

hambydammit

Wow. Lots of hubbub about bible verses! I have to admit, I'm not a big fan of arguing against Christianity from the Bible. It's like trying to argue for quantum physics using only novels by James Joyce. The Bible is such a bizarre hodge podge of myths, redactions, errant history, and bald faced lies that I worry for anyone who can say with a straight face that it's inerrant. Better to argue about whether the street lamps in Manhattan are made of cream cheese than try to convince a Biblical literalist of anything at all. That, in my opinion, is why religious indoctrination is so very dangerous. It creates followers who can literally look reality in the face and not see it.

» Posted on February 27, 2009 at 4:52 pm

Richard_Collins

I think exchristian.net has a strict policy about posting bible verses. Of course, we don't have to follow their policy. I'm just saying. It can get really tedious for people who don't give a hoot about what the bible says. I will say this, it did crank up our site visit numbers. Right?

I think the other thing that will incite a lot of comment is the UN CRC ratification as we go forward. The advocates want to ram it through in sixty days. I have another post ready to go on this subject − some detailed information about how Canada is proceeding with implementation.

» Posted on February 28, 2009 at 12:43 am

James Tracy

I made it so that Bible-Prophecy's comments are now automatically held first for moderation. I have not approved any of his subsequent comments because they are more of the same, which explains why he stopped commenting.

» Posted on February 28, 2009 at 12:48 am

tornado

Thanks James. It certainly sounds much better in here without his delusional rantings.

» Posted on February 28, 2009 at 5:54 am

James Tracy

Hear that? That's the sound of a sane and rational conversation.

» Posted on March 2, 2009 at 2:36 am

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