Why I think atheists should not reject all religious text.

[downbeatplumb]

I wonder if anyone has looked into the possible problem of the repel-effect in which a person who doesn't want to follow false teachings accidentally becomes contrary to many good teachings that are contained within the religious text of a religion. I mainly speak of Christianity because it is what I have most knowledge of but from what I've heard of some other religions I think this may be relevant to them also. Wisdom such as treating others the way you want to be treated are pretty obvious but there are many subtle bits of wisdom that are often forgotten if not frequently reviewed. Not only are these neglected by someone who discards the entire religious text but that person may also be subconsciously driven to rebel against almost everything in the book in order to distance themselves as far as they can from it. I can some up the problem with a quote my mother often said; "don't throw out the baby with the bath water".

There are some reasonable bits of the bible but they are more by accident than design.
Lets look at the ten commandments for example.

The first five are either about praising god or honouring your parents whatever that means.

Only at six do we get to one I can get behind-Thou shalt not kill

Then thou shalt not commit adultery-Why this and not thou shalt not rape or abuse children or keep slaves.

Then the only good one is thou shalt not steal.

All the others are thought crimes and so not really crimes.

So out of the ten main bits claimed to be the central laws of christainity only two stand up to scrutiny.

Anyone after five seconds thought could come up with a better list.

Better to burn the bible and start again that follow that garbage.
Then the only other one I get behind