This should be on every Bible.

Only necessary if you cannot handle the contents.

Really, really pitiful.

I think our Founding Fathers would disagree.

http://clipmarks.com/clipmark/1D3C8396-D3F2-4A2B-A936-A63F52983606/

Most christians haven't read it -- all the way thru. They haven't red the stories of the old testament -- as they were written. They simply pick and choose verses that reinforce there beliefs.

Taken as a whole, the bible is one of the most atrocious books out there... genocide, misogyny, torture, rape, incest... the list goes on and on. Many of this done directly by "god's orders".

When will people realize that religion is a man-made system used to control the mind of man?

I wonder where we can attribute all this great knowledge of criticism of a book so important to so many millions of people over so many centuries?

How did you folks become so wise and authoritative?

By not blindly accepting things on just "faith" and doing the research ourselves.

"I have found Christian dogma unintelligible. Early in life, I absenteed myself from Christian assemblies." - Benjamin franklin.

InfoWarrior, before you accept something on "blind faith", check out what Benjamin Franklin believed before he died:

http://www.questioningchristian.com/2004/11/benjamin_frankl.html

You might hope you could be so fortunate to come to these conclusions before you die.

Not likely.

All thinking men are atheists, the rest just follow blindly.

So you would rather just believe "blindly" about your conclusions concerning Christians? Who are you following?

I hate these religious discussions. Everyone believe what you want to, just don't try to convince the other guy to convert.
"Religion is the opiate of the masses"
"Do what ye will; harm none"

Some people don't like the discussions so it's ok not to discuss.

I think the point was well taken that the Book has had a positive influence on many, many people for a couple thousand years. Of course it's always tempting (oops! a religious word) to focus on the negative things done in the so-called Christian faith while ignoring all the wonderful things.

Personally, I'm grateful that I pursued a serious study of the Scriptures. I'll have no regrets with my Christian commitment. If it turns out to be for nothing...I've lost nothing. If it turns out to be true (which I believe it is) then I've gained everything. Submitting our lives to Christ has made our lives so much better.

The Bible is the most studied piece of literature in the world. People have spent lifetimes studying it. Millions believe it's contents and it is not believed on blind faith. There are thousands of study books written about the Bible establishing it's validity.

Perhaps anyone who has doubts about the Bible should study it before giving a negative opinion.

In all likelihood I have probably read more of the bible than most Christians.

As fascinating a work of fiction it is, it has no basis whatsoever in reality.

Interesting conversation, I have a few thoughts but have come to realize you cannot fight hope & blind faith. As evidenced by Christians voting for Obama.

There is real history in the book, there are parables and myths that were "borrowed" from older cultures/religions and either outright perverted to change the meaning or to usurp the older culture.

In my heart I just wished that those that "follow" the good book would stop repeating pretty words and start living it. Some of the most un-Christian things ever done to me were done on the basis of Christianity. I've come to the conclusion that the majority of Christians truly only believe one thing, "ask and ye' shall be forgiven." Great out and has created a group of mass hypocrites.

As a child between 7-10 I watched 2 uncles who considered themselves Christians and they probably were. I despised them. They were domineering, oppressive, haughty, self-righteous. I wanted nothing to do with them. Fortunately I had a better example of the Christian life through my Grandmother who lived what she believed, was more Biblically literate than they, and adored her life with love. She was the one who inspired me to not judge Jesus Christ by His followers but have Him as the example of a life that pleases God.

Respectfully, a little more study about the "myths" and perversions, could dispel some of those opinions.

Not everybody who claims to be a Christian, is a Christian. Many are not.

gemfemfox, do you think the Bible scholars for the past 2000 + years including all of Judaism, did not study the sources and possible "borrowing from other cultures" which would make the Bible a book of fables? Then along comes some "expert" in the 21st century who probably never read the Bible, to tell us that the Bible is a joke and requires "blind faith"?

I agree with your analogy on "Christians voting for Obama." I do not think they were Christians, perhaps in name only.

The more I study religions the more I am convinced that man never worshipped anything but himself. - Sir Francis Richard Burton

Why do we not hear the same kind of 'joke' about the Koran??
WARNING-THE KORAN-Not to be taken seriously!

If it makes Christians feel better I view all Theism with the same disdain be it Allah, God, Jehovah or the Flying Spaghetti Monster.

It just so happens that I have one here.

"Koranic teaching still insists that the sun moves around the earth. How can we advance when they teach things like that?" - Taslima Nasrin

and another

"Islam, Christianity, and religion in general is a melting pot of HATE and INTOLERANCE don't ask them just listen to them..."

and one more because it tickles me

"I'm a polyatheist - there are many gods I don't believe in." - Dan Fouts

That's all I ask, that you view them all equally, with no sacred cows!

People who don't like their beliefs being laughed at shouldn't have such funny beliefs - unknown

We must respect the other fellow's religion, but only in the sense and to the extent that we respect his theory that his wife is beautiful and his children smart - H. L. Mencken

I do like that 'Menchen' quote. hehe