Do you think you'd still be a believer if the bible were more pleasant/accurate?

[dyresand]

i'd acknowledge it but i wouldn't believe in it to be true.
It could be the most pleasant religion ever i wouldn't want to join it.

[Edwardo Piet]

Belief is not a choice anyway

[Aroura]

Inaccuracies aside, there is still no evidence for any of it. If you took out all the parts that are clearly un true (the flood, the exodus from slavery, magic virgins and talking snakes) and the parts that are unpleasant, what would even be left? Jesus would have to mostly be deleted.  His magic birth, and violent death and magic rebirth are the mainstays of the story.

The entire old testament would have to go, and most of the new testament as well. So that would leave a slim volume about a man who preached to love thy neighbor. A fine thing and no harm at all to believe in. So I think the question is sort of moot.

The Jefferson bible then?

Basically, yes.

[Losty]

I think I would. It's not the reason I don't believe but it is the reason I began to doubt my faith. If not for the nasty quotes in the bible I would have never thought to not believe.

[Edwardo Piet]

Makes a lot of sense. I guess it can apply to those who previously believed.

I never even got past Genesis without nearly dying from boredom/laughing at a snake.

[Mister Agenda]

My initial rejection of Christianity, particularly the literalist Pentecostal variety I was raised in, was entirely based on reading the Bible and realizing what barbarity was actually in it, and how much of it was laid at the feet of God. However, I did not conclude there was no God, only that the Bible could not actually represent an all-loving being; which is still what I thought God was. I was personally incredulous of how the universe could be here without Someone making it happen, and that was a sticking point for me for almost 20 years.

I didn't have the first glimmerings of skepticism (concerning the Duke ESP studies) until several years later. That eventually led to being skeptical of God. I can't be sure I would have been receptive to pursuing that if I hadn't already been turned off from organized religion by a Bible that was an assault on my conscience.

[abaris]

My initial rejection of Christianity, particularly the literalist Pentecostal variety I was raised in, was entirely based on reading the Bible and realizing what barbarity was actually in it, and how much of it was laid at the feet of God. However, I did not conclude there was no God, only that the Bible could not actually represent an all-loving being; which is still what I thought God was. I was personally incredulous of how the universe could be here without Someone making it happen, and that was a sticking point for me for almost 20 years.

When still being a child, I was compartmentalizing. Evil daddy, nice son. I had no concept of the trinity back then and so I always prayed to Jesus, never to the old guy. The holy spirit didn't play any role at all. When being a teen and all through my twens, I didn't care enough to even reflect on the whole matter. I remember when I final came to the knowledge that I'm indeed an atheist. I was 27 at the time, at a catholic crossroads, deep in the woods, where I used to retreat to when I looked for some quiet time to reflect on certain things in my life.

I looked at all the images and the thought struck that this is too easy and, most of all, not explaining anything. That was the first time when what I knew about science and my concept of religion clashed. The first time both thoughts were actually in my mind simultaneously.

[vorlon13]

What's a believer, anyhow ?

Just someone saying they believe isn't really helpful, is it ??

Best to watch and see how they behave. Observing all 600+ Levitican laws, handling asps, performing abortions with bitter herbs, swilling poison, maintaining the sanctity of their first marriages and not recognizing subsequent marriages fro their fellow pew warmers, manifesting a healing gift via laying on of the hands, etc. would go a long way in convincing me I was dealing with an actual believer.

Anybody want to step up to the plate and witness now ???

[Cecelia]

I think I would. It's not the reason I don't believe but it is the reason I began to doubt my faith. If not for the nasty quotes in the bible I would have never thought to not believe.

I wouldn't say for me it was necessarily the reason I began to doubt.  But I think without some of the more ridiculous things in the bible, and if it were more pleasant that I'd more likely (much like theists we see today) continue rationalizing it.  The unpleasant things became hard to rationalize, which made me start to examine the questions I had more in depth.

[Losty]

I think I would. It's not the reason I don't believe but it is the reason I began to doubt my faith. If not for the nasty quotes in the bible I would have never thought to not believe.

I wouldn't say for me it was necessarily the reason I began to doubt.  But I think without some of the more ridiculous things in the bible, and if it were more pleasant that I'd more likely (much like theists we see today) continue rationalizing it.  The unpleasant things became hard to rationalize, which made me start to examine the questions I had more in depth.

It's exactly this. I always had some doubt. I think that's why it was so easy for people to manipulate me by telling me I wasn't a good enough Christian. But I could easily push those doubts away. I could easily blame myself for those doubts. Until I really started reading the bible.