Bible Study

[Little Billy]

I am new to this forum site, so I don't know how this will go down, but here goes...

I am an atheist who was raised as a Christian, and am very familiar with the Bible due to my religious past. While I am now aware that it is far from the 'good book', I recognize that my ethical roots are planted in much of what Jesus had to say. So my idea is this:

I would like to read the canonical Gospels (Matthew-John), skipping the boring genealogies and repeated stories (i.e. read the Sermon on the Mount once). We would read at our leisure during the week and then get together here on Sunday at (time to be determined) and discuss. It would work best if we could have at least one representative from each religion and non-religious philosophy. Well, that it is the idea.

P.S. One reason that got me to think about this is the Jefferson Bible, which I recommend doing research on.

[genkaus]

I am new to this forum site, so I don't know how this will go down, but here goes...

I am an atheist who was raised as a Christian, and am very familiar with the Bible due to my religious past. While I am now aware that it is far from the 'good book', I recognize that my ethical roots are planted in much of what Jesus had to say. So my idea is this:

I would like to read the canonical Gospels (Matthew-John), skipping the boring genealogies and repeated stories (i.e. read the Sermon on the Mount once). We would read at our leisure during the week and then get together here on Sunday at (time to be determined) and discuss. It would work best if we could have at least one representative from each religion and non-religious philosophy. Well, that it is the idea.

P.S. One reason that got me to think about this is the Jefferson Bible, which I recommend doing research on.

I would advise against it. Given the common perspective on the bible here, it might end up uprooting your ethical roots.

[Minimalist]

No, no. Let him start. Let's see how much of this jesus shit is nothing but warmed over Hellenic philosophy. Might be entertaining.

"Do not do to your neighbor what you would take ill from him." Pittacus of Mytilene c 600 BCE

“For the very rich to be also good is impossible" --Plato c 400 BCE

[Fruity]

So, let me get this straight. We would be atheists... who quit church... and began one of their own in an atheist forum? But... why?

[Kayenneh]

But... why?

Know your enemy?

[Little Billy]

I am new to this forum site, so I don't know how this will go down, but here goes...

I am an atheist who was raised as a Christian, and am very familiar with the Bible due to my religious past. While I am now aware that it is far from the 'good book', I recognize that my ethical roots are planted in much of what Jesus had to say. So my idea is this:

I would like to read the canonical Gospels (Matthew-John), skipping the boring genealogies and repeated stories (i.e. read the Sermon on the Mount once). We would read at our leisure during the week and then get together here on Sunday at (time to be determined) and discuss. It would work best if we could have at least one representative from each religion and non-religious philosophy. Well, that it is the idea.

P.S. One reason that got me to think about this is the Jefferson Bible, which I recommend doing research on.

I would advise against it. Given the common perspective on the bible here, it might end up uprooting your ethical roots.

I've already read the NT many times and can confirm that much of our modern, Western world ethics is based on the GOOD PARTS of what Jesus said. I know he said some heinous shit - let's root that out and keep the good. Thanks for your insight, though.

---

No, no. Let him start. Let's see how much of this jesus shit is nothing but warmed over Hellenic philosophy. Might be entertaining.

"Do not do to your neighbor what you would take ill from him." Pittacus of Mytilene c 600 BCE

“For the very rich to be also good is impossible" --Plato c 400 BCE

"Let him start?" Are you prepared to educate me with your polished quotes? 'Cause I have access to quote sites, too. The golden rule predates Jesus by at least 600 years via Confucius. And Jesus said some garbage, but he said some cool stuff, too.

[fr0d0]

Welcome small penis

It seems that everyone is talking at crossed purposes here. It's like God deliberately confused y'all or summin! :p

We could actually have a forum section on discrediting the bible. And every other religious book come to that.

So this is me, your fairy godmother granting your wish already.

*sprinkles fairy dust*

Now go and play nicely you little tinkers!

[Justtristo]

I am new to this forum site, so I don't know how this will go down, but here goes...

I am an atheist who was raised as a Christian, and am very familiar with the Bible due to my religious past. While I am now aware that it is far from the 'good book', I recognize that my ethical roots are planted in much of what Jesus had to say. So my idea is this:

I would like to read the canonical Gospels (Matthew-John), skipping the boring genealogies and repeated stories (i.e. read the Sermon on the ). We would read at our leisure during the week and then get together here on Sunday at (time to be determined) and discuss. It would work best if we could have at least one from each religion and non-religious philosophy. Well, that it is the idea.

P.S. One reason that got me to think about this is the Jefferson Bible, which I recommend doing research on.

I would recommend reading works by Greek and Roman philosophers, particularly that of the Stoic school (which includes men such as , and just to name a few). These thinkers advocated some ideas many believe emerged for the first time during the enlightenment. For example; they advocated the brotherhood of humanity, the natural equality of all human beings. Not to mention they condemned the institution of slavery.

There is little doubt that many Christian thinkers were influenced by Stoic philosophy, especially when it comes to ethics. Because the New Testament for example; does not once ever explicitly condemn the institution of slavery. Indeed it regards slavery or some form of another as the natural condition of human beings. It just thinks some types of slavery (say to Satan) as bad, while other types of slavery (say to Jesus) as good.

Although I would not discount reading the New Testament to understand thoroughly, However one needs to also read then contemporary literature from the Classical world. Because the New Testament writers were rehashing what others at roughly the same time were saying.

[Whateverist]

I'm afraid the bible puts me to sleep though something like the Jefferson version might be the answer to that with the added benefit of being able to fit on a key ring.

[CleanShavenJesus]

Welcome small penis

Did you just call the kid "small penis"?