General Discussion

AtheistCrusader

(33,982 posts)

75. Are you saying we shouldn't get our moral precepts from desert heat-addled goat herders from the

Mon Jun 16, 2014, 11:09 AM

Jun 2014

bronze age?

Well, shit.

(That said, it's a pretty normal thing for a politician to say in a nation wherein 60-70% of the population is nominally Christian)

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

163 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

If the bible is the most important book in your life that is fucking scary [View all] snooper2 Jun 2014 OP

Sadly the bible is the only book that has been read by malaise Jun 2014 #1

As Mark Twain once said, riqster Jun 2014 #5

One of my favorite authors malaise Jun 2014 #11

Yeah, he's high on my list too. riqster Jun 2014 #16

but he doesn't have a book in the bible rurallib Jun 2014 #37

^^^this^^^ truebluegreen Jun 2014 #55

Liked his comment ChazInAz Jun 2014 #84

I thought that was Billy Connolly... :D AtheistCrusader Jun 2014 #73

I love the Mark Twain quote Rigster has inserted below. Couple funny stories... PatrickforO Jun 2014 #35

I know exactly what you mean malaise Jun 2014 #44

Context? riqster Jun 2014 #2

here snooper2 Jun 2014 #4

Thanks! riqster Jun 2014 #7

Of course it's just lip service. Politics. randome Jun 2014 #3

Yep, kissing babies, thumping the bible and flag waving ... typical politician speak. Most of them RKP5637 Jun 2014 #19

Like the Founders? JaneyVee Jun 2014 #6

Franklin was big on the Bible. He analyzed it and created his own set of crucial bits. riqster Jun 2014 #10

Thomas Jefferson created the Jefferson Bible composed of writings he felt were worth following. lumpy Jun 2014 #126

The "Jefferson Bible" is more properly called: "The Life and Morals of Jesus of Nazareth" LongTomH Jun 2014 #146

I give people from hundreds of years ago a pass snooper2 Jun 2014 #13

It has been known "how the sun works" since Galileo onenote Jun 2014 #63

I wasn't aware Galileo explained nuclear fusion in detail snooper2 Jun 2014 #124

So the line is nuclear fusion onenote Jun 2014 #148

If you read the founders edhopper Jun 2014 #15

This does get us into specifically religious territory el_bryanto Jun 2014 #8

fundies of all stripes only scare me when they actually follow their holy book snooper2 Jun 2014 #18

OK - I'm not sure how to unpack that el_bryanto Jun 2014 #20

Sucide Bombers, Abortion Clinic Bombers, people who smite others for woirking on Sunday snooper2 Jun 2014 #38

OK - so you are afraid of terrorists who are motivated by the Bible el_bryanto Jun 2014 #60

I'm frightened by politictians who think a 5000-year-old fairy tale is a guide to modern governance. MindPilot Jun 2014 #22

I agree that religion has no place in government, unless that also means that religious people el_bryanto Jun 2014 #23

people who believe in fairy tales cannot represent my political interests... mike_c Jun 2014 #86

Do you think religious people should be allowed to vote? el_bryanto Jun 2014 #90

of course not.... mike_c Jun 2014 #91

So you'd like to see essentially a reversal of the current set up el_bryanto Jun 2014 #92

you've completely ignored what I said and put your words in my mouth.... mike_c Jun 2014 #94

Hmmmm el_bryanto Jun 2014 #95

ah-- no, you misunderstood.... mike_c Jun 2014 #97

Ah ok - sorry I misunderstood. nt el_bryanto Jun 2014 #99

It's about religious politicians (holding office) spouting their religiosity beliefs and legislating 2banon Jun 2014 #89

I agree 100% MindPilot!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! n/a onecent Jun 2014 #25

n addition to a rousing tale, Homer's epic tale, The Iliad, is also an ancient Greek discussion... LanternWaste Jun 2014 #71

Most people don't think the Iliad actually happened phil89 Jun 2014 #108

The Illiad is awesome but it has little to say about political ethics. Vattel Jun 2014 #149

Succinctly put, MindPilot. 'nuff said. 2banon Jun 2014 #83

They scare the SHIT out of me! Muslims who revere the Koran, "Atlas Shrugged" genwah Jun 2014 #48

Nothing makes me want to vote for someone less. MindPilot Jun 2014 #9

Thank you! Well said! n/t RKP5637 Jun 2014 #21

There was a politican once who said: KurtNYC Jun 2014 #27

And he was right. Iggo Jun 2014 #54

If someone shows bigotry on DU towards Jews, or African-Americans, or women Fortinbras Armstrong Jun 2014 #101

I'm glad to hear you're against bigotry on DU. Iggo Jun 2014 #106

Thanks, but that does not answer my question. n/t Fortinbras Armstrong Jun 2014 #111

Correct. (n/t) Iggo Jun 2014 #114

So, instead of irrelevancies, how about an answer? Fortinbras Armstrong Jun 2014 #119

Okay...No. Iggo Jun 2014 #136

I asked "why is anti-religious bigotry acceptable on DU" Fortinbras Armstrong Jun 2014 #160

"I want a politician to tell me that they are guided by the scientific method, logic, reason ..." Scuba Jun 2014 #72

There probably already are smallcat88 Jun 2014 #78

the complete works of shakespeare? he had some fantastical creatures and happenings as well.... unblock Jun 2014 #12

When are people going to learn to stop believing politicians' BS BainsBane Jun 2014 #14

Do you think Jimmy Carter is secretly an atheist? (nt) Nye Bevan Jun 2014 #43

no President has been an atheist BainsBane Jun 2014 #45

And THAT is the problem... Moostache Jun 2014 #65

Fascinating observation BainsBane Jun 2014 #69

Children need guidance smallcat88 Jun 2014 #82

FFS, she was speaking to a church group. Of COURSE she was pandering. KittyWampus Jun 2014 #17

"900 year old humans, talking snakes and virgin births"? whathehell Jun 2014 #24

Message auto-removed Name removed Jun 2014 #28

Jury said not to hide your post... rexcat Jun 2014 #42

You think comparing Christians to the mentally handicapped is okay? moriah Jun 2014 #46

You are correct... rexcat Jun 2014 #50

I was being tongue-in-cheek. moriah Jun 2014 #53

I did get your tongue-in-cheek comment.. rexcat Jun 2014 #74

Message auto-removed Name removed Jun 2014 #77

I just want to be clear here. What exact point are you making here? hrmjustin Jun 2014 #93

Message auto-removed Name removed Jun 2014 #105

I believe some of it is allegory and some literal. What does that make me in you POV? hrmjustin Jun 2014 #112

Message auto-removed Name removed Jun 2014 #125

You are never inconsistent? hrmjustin Jun 2014 #129

If people here are so bent out of joint over it BainsBane Jun 2014 #47

Some surveys disagree -- in one 75% said they believe virgin birth KurtNYC Jun 2014 #29

Wow. Iggo Jun 2014 #56

I am one yeoman6987 Jun 2014 #122

Virgin birth is not really all that uncommon. Penetration is not necessary to get semen in place. nt ieoeja Jun 2014 #132

so did God say to Mary: hey Mary, pssst! over here and sit on this turkey baster? Whisp Jun 2014 #142

That would have eliminated proof of virginity. ieoeja Jun 2014 #147

Why? rug Jun 2014 #26

Think of the uproar if she had said "Lady Chatterley's Lover". greatauntoftriplets Jun 2014 #30

It's only scary if you have never read it. dilby Jun 2014 #31

+1! n/t ColesCountyDem Jun 2014 #109

I think both Testaments are appalling and Skidmore Jun 2014 #156

And why is that? dilby Jun 2014 #162

The Big Book Of Lies Fred Gilmore Jun 2014 #32

Fuxx Noise smallcat88 Jun 2014 #88

Meh - I go with lip service... cyberswede Jun 2014 #33

I can't even think of one specific "most important" book that I've read.... it's impossible riderinthestorm Jun 2014 #34

I'm going to REALLY hedge my bets and say 'The Encyclopedia Brittanica' AtheistCrusader Jun 2014 #76

My problem with those who mostly or worse yet only read the Bible, SheilaT Jun 2014 #36

It's arguably true for most Americans, believers, Christians or whomever. Orsino Jun 2014 #39

It's not the 900 year old humans, talking snakes, and virgin births you should be worried about. gtar100 Jun 2014 #40

Exactly! Myth as controlling reality is why the world is doomed. nt broadcaster75201 Jun 2014 #41

The Bible isn't one book, it's many different books. dawg Jun 2014 #49

As a Christian I read the Bible and I find this post offensive... chillfactor Jun 2014 #51

I agree, and I am more of an agnostic than anything else. The OP expresses an intolerance that one lostincalifornia Jun 2014 #62

"Bible wood" packman Jun 2014 #52

If the bible is a most important book in someone's life does NOT mean they take all the content lostincalifornia Jun 2014 #57

Little Bear is a beautiful program. Hopefully it will influence many of our children. My great grand jwirr Jun 2014 #58

But bears can't really talk ... dawg Jun 2014 #64

LOL jwirr Jun 2014 #66

I completely disagree. Thomas Merton has been a big influence on me cali Jun 2014 #59

The most important book in George W. Bush's life was My Pet Goat liberal N proud Jun 2014 #61

The bible is important in my life. hrmjustin Jun 2014 #67

Not scary at all. mwooldri Jun 2014 #68

I'm not sure what bothers me more tularetom Jun 2014 #70

Are you saying we shouldn't get our moral precepts from desert heat-addled goat herders from the AtheistCrusader Jun 2014 #75

Will we grow up before we become extinct? I dont know, but yes, said indeed randys1 Jun 2014 #79

Shocked that you would advocate for a less than truthful position bobduca Jun 2014 #80

It saddens me every time I have to hope a candidate I really like isn't being honest Lee-Lee Jun 2014 #81

I agree. berni_mccoy Jun 2014 #85

I've always thought of the bible as a great resource for the study of "Western" thought. Demoiselle Jun 2014 #87

It is the most important book in my life!! Peacetrain Jun 2014 #96

Shamless Pandering Ned Flanders Jun 2014 #98

You can't take the bible literally smallcat88 Jun 2014 #100

I'm in agreement with this OP. And I'm disheartened that "believers" hijacked it 2banon Jun 2014 #102

How exactly did believers hi-jack it? el_bryanto Jun 2014 #107

No one in elected office believes in sky daddy....it's just for votes. ileus Jun 2014 #103

The Bible also is about feeding the hungry, housing the homeless and clothing the naked. yellowcanine Jun 2014 #104

No. It's human decency phil89 Jun 2014 #110

Wow, and we should not need laws to tell us these things because it's human decency right? dilby Jun 2014 #116

The Sovereign Citizens would essentially agree with that..... yellowcanine Jun 2014 #134

There is the problem with human decency, everyone has a different moral compass. dilby Jun 2014 #137

You conflate both Testaments, something a Christian would take issue with. The "Sermon on the Mount" WinkyDink Jun 2014 #117

The New Testament is full of savagery and nonsense. LeftyMom Jun 2014 #120

"You shouldn't need a book to tell you these things." So people should not write about yellowcanine Jun 2014 #130

Thank you. madamesilverspurs Jun 2014 #113

Of course. Those are non-obvious concepts no other society figured out. LeftyMom Jun 2014 #115

Sweden was hardly "godless" in its history! (Hello, Lutheranism!) WinkyDink Jun 2014 #118

In their current practice they're highly irreligious. LeftyMom Jun 2014 #123

It's a silly argument. Of course religion played a role in the development of modern Sweden. yellowcanine Jun 2014 #133

Try not to be so terrified. Nye Bevan Jun 2014 #121

I misread this gollygee Jun 2014 #127

I've always thought: in fiction lies truth Boom Sound 416 Jun 2014 #128

Hillary's religiosity is a tempest in a teapot. lumpy Jun 2014 #131

My heart goes out to your ears and the awful things you have had to hear from Hillary. NCTraveler Jun 2014 #135

Almost as scary as the sub-literate half-wit who pretends to know which books should be disqualified LanternWaste Jun 2014 #138

Ah yes, DU's acceptable whipping boy Prophet 451 Jun 2014 #139

you'll be okay in the morning, I promise! LOL snooper2 Jun 2014 #141

I worship the devil n/t Prophet 451 Jun 2014 #143

I had sex with the devil once, but she didn't bath very well snooper2 Jun 2014 #144

Ah, you're deliberately trying to be obnoxious Prophet 451 Jun 2014 #145

It is with great pleasure I accept your acknowledgment of the superiority of Atheist thought. MindPilot Jun 2014 #150

Not really what I was saying but glad you got a kick out of it n/t Prophet 451 Jun 2014 #155

Is there more evidence for a god than for santa? phil89 Jun 2014 #152

Yes, but not evidence that can be shared Prophet 451 Jun 2014 #154

Again, it's not an insult. phil89 Jun 2014 #163

If a single book is the most important thing in your life, you need other hobbies. Rex Jun 2014 #140

Message auto-removed Name removed Jun 2014 #151

I always thought the Ledger of the Rose Law Firm was the book HereSince1628 Jun 2014 #153

It might be scary if someone said it was the only book in their life. Kaleva Jun 2014 #157

Martin Luther King is Scary to You? On the Road Jun 2014 #158

Geesh, lighten up a bit! riseabove Jun 2014 #159

One of the most important books in my life Caretha Jun 2014 #161