Any tips on reading the bible for an atheist?

[Mephisto]

The old testament is nice, they should make a movie out of it, just don't be shy about the gore.

[Jackalope]

Mentally insert "in bed" after every verse that begins "Thou shalt not".

[Jacob(smooth)]

Mentally insert "in bed" after every verse that begins "Thou shalt not".

"with a boner" or "with jelly" works well too.

[*Deidre*]

No tips, really. If you enjoy fiction, you'll enjoy this book.

[Minimalist]

Jesus dies.

Fucker had it coming.

[xpastor]

Hi there. I've been trying to read the bible to see firsthand the inconsistencies and horrible stuff present in there. Well atleast that is what I'm trying to do. I'm currently stuck in Leviticus and it's boring me so much. I'm thinking about skipping it. So any suggestions and/or tips.

I find it ironic that now that I'm an atheist, I'm actually trying to read the bible haha.

No point reading it. Most of it is boooring. Some of it is outrageous, like the bit about chopping off a woman's hand if she interferes in a street fight to help her husband. (Deut. 25:11-12) There are some noble thoughts but they are few and far between.

Reading the raw text of the bible won't help you to understand Christians, because their beliefs are based on cherry-picked proof-texts, slightly different selections depending on the denomination. They leave out all the evil stuff and verses which contradict their position. I speak from experience.

Actually most Christians don't even know what is in the bible, so why should you? Bill Maher put it best: "For most Christians believing in the bible is like a software license; they scroll down and click 'I agree' without reading it."

[truthBtold]

Read it when ur on the shitter. When u smell something funny,, its not ur turd!!

[Mr. Moncrieff]

I know scripture well - being a school teacher in a Catholic school (for the very short term future)

Now I read the bible from cover to cover. I look at the front, turn it over and put it down again.

[Crossless2.0]

With latex -- lots of latex.

[Lek]

I know scripture well - being a school teacher in a Catholic school (for the very short term future)

Now I read the bible from cover to cover. I look at the front, turn it over and put it down again.

I know you've read the bible from cover to cover, but try reading it for what is says rather than from the catholic perspective you were taught. I went to catholic school for eight years and can't remember seeing a bible in the classroom the whole time. It wasn't until I was an adult and started reading the bible that I found that so much of catholic doctrine doesn't agree with scripture. In fact, so much of what protestant churches claim doesn't agree with scripture. You keep talking about relgion, but christianity isn't about religion, it's about Christ.