The Bible-Boooooring

[CapnAwesome]

The main attribute I think of when I think of the bible is just how boring it is. Many Atheists paint the bible as this book of horrors but in truth it's mostly just long and boring. It clearly shares attributes with other literature of the period. Most ancient literature is also fairly tedious. Clearly it's a product of it's time. I think that Christians who claim to find something special in it are basically lying or haven't read it. Large sections of ancient genealogy and poorly put together poetry, clumsy metaphorical stories make up a huge chunk of the old testament.

Christians will talk of these beautiful passages, but they are a miniscule part of the bible. It's mind numbingly dull. The new testament is likewise mind numbingly dull, and don't blame the translation. The Iliad far exceeds it in terms of actual good writing. Is this God's test of our patience?

[Mystic]

I been trying to read the Bible, but I get bored easily. I made a similar complaint on Christian forums, that it seems horribly boring to me.

[Minimalist]

I suspect that deep down the reason for that is that xtians are largely full of shit.

[Something completely different]

I didnt read it, I read the quoran and I wouldnt say that it was boring but certainly a waste of time. I read it from a point of view in which I tried to understand the medieval mind of a 8th century person and from that perspective it was rather intersting. But it was a waste of time since I could have simply read some more informative wikipedia entries about these times and the people thoughts of these time.

I guess if I should ever read the bible I would probably do it from the same point of view, trying to understand the mindset of the bronze age religious elite and how they attempted to control the sociaty they lived in and with which means they tried to stay in power.

From a artistic point of view - there is simply nothing to gain. Religious texts simply arent great literature, the quoran may rime in arabic yet it hasnt got a gripping story to tell, le alone a story which would be taken serious as literature if published today.

Religion and great literature generaly clash in my point of view. The fact that the works of the greatest writer of the last century James Joyce were banned and frowned upon due to roman catholic influence in Irealand and by puritan moralists in the US says it all for me. Literature of today is often about social criticism and the most inner and private thoughtts and needs of an individual, something which most religions cannot coop with and mostly reject.
Only religion can create such absurd situations like the one in which Irelands greatest writer being frowned upon in his own country for a long time.

[Minimalist]

I been trying to read the Bible, but I get bored easily. I made a similar complaint on Christian forums, that it seems horribly boring to me.

The OT at least has some exciting parts...except for those interminable fucking geneologies. But the NT is just excruciatingly nauseating crap. No wonder the church did not want people to read it.

[rexbeccarox]

My view on reading the bible is the same as my view on running: did it loyally when I was younger, right up to some time in my late teens when I realized how much I fucking hated it, mostly because it was boring.

[Tonus]

It is much more interesting when you recognize it for what it is and read it once. Reading it every day to try to squeeze some additional meaning out of the fevered ravings of bronze age savages is a horrible way to pass the time.

[jstrodel]

I personally think that studying theology is more interesting than the Bible. When you see how all the pieces of scripture fit together, it makes the study of the scriptures more enjoyable. I have trouble with studying the Bible because of the familiarity and the fact that the nature of reading one book at a time tends to obscure overarching themes and systemic theology, which is the most enjoyable part of studying theology for me.

I have been interested in philosophy, computer science, music and theology and I have to say of all these philosophy is the most enjoyable and rewarding for me. I have not found all my studies of scripture to be equally enjoyable, sometimes I get more or less from my studies but I really enjoy putting everything together.

[Godscreated]

The Bible is a spiritual book, yet it deals with every day life as well, the scriptures are great to study when one studies for the correct reason. Those who do not have the guidance of the Holy Spirit will not get much form the Bible. The Bible was never written to be a great literary read, it is about the human life in relationship with God through Jesus Christ. A chronological Bible puts the time line into a clearer perspective and will help those who wish to understand the workings of God through history.

[Minimalist]

Those who do not have the guidance of the Holy Spirit

Evidence that there is a "Holy Spirit?" I didn't think so.

After all...like so much of your bullshit it developed well after your alleged godboy allegedly got his sorry ass nailed to an alleged cross.

http://www.religionfacts.com/christianit...spirit.htm

A formal doctrine of the Holy Spirit did not begin to be developed until the early third century. Tertullian (c.160-c.225) and the Montanist heresy showed the need to distinguish between true and false activities of the Holy Spirit. Origen of Alexandria (c.185-c.254) taught that the Spirit worked primarily within the Church, whereas the Word (Christ) worked within the whole of creation.