Does it matter if the bible is not true?

[Soph0571]

There are of course several schools of thoughts when it comes to the veracity of the Bible. For many the Bible is literally the word of God. The authors of the bible were transmitting the very word of God and the bible is therefore infallible and not to be questioned. Of course, for many others they believe in the underlying truth of the bible but recognise it was written by man, as a way to govern nations and establish rules of behaviour.

As we know, the Bible was written by 40 different authors over a span of 1600 years. Not only that it was written on 3 continents, in 3 languages and has literally hundreds of stories, allegories, songs, poems and fables. We know that the bible offers some archaeological evidence from the time. It offers many prophecies. It is very difficult to verify many of the stories told in the Bible as there are limited other sources with which to reaffirm the written word. Although this is not to say some things cannot be independently verified, for example, some of the kings in the Old Testament are mentioned elsewhere outside the Bible.

If you are believer you will have faith that the Bible is Gods written word. You will believe in creation, Noah and the Flood, the miracles of Jesus. You will govern your life by rules and regulations laid down by religious leaders 5,000 years ago, and this gives you spiritual sustenance.

If you are not a believer you will see the Bible as a mix of things. Some fact and legends and myths, some great allegories and beautiful songs. You might be a bit excised by the wars that have been fought and the blood that has been shed over a book of stories though.

Either way, does it matter if the bible is not true?

[bitterross]

1. Of course it matters. How can it not?

You say the reason yourself:

You might be a bit excised by the wars that have been fought and the blood that has been shed over a book of stories though.


The fact so much evil has been done in the name of its God is certainly why it matters. The fact so many people still cling to it and use passages from it to justify discrimination is why it matters.

If all those people were to realize it's nothing more than a book of fairy tales and stop using it to try to control other people's lives the world would be a better place.

[uriel1972]

2. Yes it matters,

as it is used as a weapon against people by those who believe it is God's Word. If it is true then we have to accept it come what may, if it is not then we have an opening to argue.

Then there are those who like to have it both ways, written by man, inspired by God. This enables them to pick and choose what to believe is true and dump what is demonstrated to be false, which is always an ongoing project. Today's Word of God is tomorrow's mistake of man.

I am one of those people who like to have evidence of something before I accept it. When it comes down to choosing between priests/preachers and archaeologists, linguists and others I'm with the latter.

[gordianot]

3. The Bible is a collection of books compiled by men and not a Diety.

Even though this is easily proven your life is at risk if pointed out to religious fanatics.

[safeinOhio]

4. The loop holes

spoil everything.

[MineralMan]

5. Does it matter to whom?

The answer to the question depends on the respondent. As an atheist, it matters to me only because so many people believe it to be true and act in bad ways towards others.

[Major Nikon]

6. Yeah, so long as it's used as a tool for hate, it matters

Not only is it used as a tool for hate, and not only do the haters get to claim moral superiority for their hate, but they get to further victimize those who call bullshit by claiming they are the actual victims instead of the targets of their hate.

[MineralMan]

7. Exactly. That's the problem with scripture-based religions in general.

They take their belief as "gospel" truth, and then use it as a club to bash in the heads of non-believers.

And, as you say, any protest to being bashed in the head is taken as an attack on their "god-given" truth.

It's, well, circular logic.

[Major Nikon]

8. If you attack the intolerance of their beliefs then YOU are the intolerant one

Sound familiar?

[MineralMan]

9. Will It Go Round in Circles?

[Major Nikon]

10. Righteous song

[Pope George Ringo II]

11. It matters.

The lie at the heart of it poisons everything which follows.

[Farmer-Rick]

12. Yup truth matters.

[Karadeniz]

13. The gospels were meant to be teaching material. That's why it's okay to have 0 + 3 birth stories

And differences in the death accounts. Also, fine to take a common symbol, a pig, and turn that parable into a biographical event (Jesus casts a legion of demons into swine). I don't know how those who insist upon literal inerrancy cope with the inconsistencies. I guess they just do a lot of ignoring.

[ROB-ROX]

14. THE LATIN WORD FOR BOOK IS BIBLE

The incest stories are really good in the good book. Borrowing Hammurabi Law Code the eye for an eye is in the good book. It is known that the control of people was important in the past and in the future. Today the hog wash is evil and the in breed people do not know any better because they are in breed....

[Voltaire2]

17. Actually it isn't. The greek word is biblios. (Βιβλίο)

The latin work is libre, as in library.

[Iggo]

15. Apparently not.

[NeoGreen]

16. What do you mean "if"? (NT)