"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness" (2 Tim. 3: 16). According to this verse, the bible is a divinely inspired moral guide. However, the critical analysis of Scripture that comprises the contents of this book clearly demonstrates that this claim is invalid for a number of reasons. For example, the multiple contradictions and absurdities contained in the bible confer an unreliability upon it that undermines its function as a guide for anything, let alone moral decision making. Furthermore, many of the ideas it promotes are actually spiritually harmful. And unless the misogyny, violence, intolerance, injustice and cruelty can be removed, then it is difficult to view the Scriptures as even remotely resembling an unassailable divine guide to ethical conduct. Moreover, the many errors that it contains, including those about the natural world, obviates the claim that the bible is divinely inspired. In the course of using the verses themselves in discussing such topics as biblical errancy, bible-based morality, the nature of the biblical god, the nature of a religion based on the bible, and the bible's stance on science, nature and truth, it will be shown that any belief that it is either divinely inspired or a trustworthy guide to right living is both misguided and delusional. In addition, the insights of such thinkers as Nietzsche, Feuerbach, Spinoza, Shakespeare, Euripides, Dostoyevsky, Camus, Sartre, Maugham, Augustine, Aquinas, Twain, Chaucer, Einstein, Freud, Ingersoll, Mencken, and others will be used to illuminate the true character of the bible, that it is a far more profane thansacred book. |
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Table des matières
Dedication | 6 |
Preface | 8 |
Introduction | 12 |
Biblical Errancy and Other Problems | 22 |
Moving Decimal Points Mismatched Lists and Dead Cattle | 23 |
Melting Snails and Other Absurdities | 91 |
The Ravings of a Maniac | 114 |
Behold I come quickly | 119 |
Keep yourself from the Accursed Thing | 194 |
Stoning the Ox | 198 |
Such Language | 203 |
The Biblical Nature of God | 205 |
He loses a Wrestling Match | 206 |
God is Love? | 213 |
the Author of Calamity | 218 |
Serious Flaws in the Character of the Biblical Jesus | 221 |
Biblical Morality | 131 |
Biblically Sanctioned Lying Killing and Stealing | 132 |
the Prudent Slave Morality | 135 |
Cruelty Mayhem Murder and Destruction | 139 |
Affronts to Fairness and Decency | 150 |
the Bitter Water Test | 162 |
Sexual Ethics or the House of him that hath his Shoe Loosed | 171 |
the Craving for a Community of Worship | 182 |
Negative Depictions of Arabs and Jews | 186 |
Cloven Footed Cud Chewers and Road Kill | 191 |
the Contradiction of Polytheism and Monotheism | 228 |
Believe or Be Damned | 234 |
Salvation Damnation and the immortality of the Soul | 247 |
The Passion Death and Resurrection of Christ | 269 |
and the other Consequences | 302 |
Phinehas Javelin Throw | 317 |
Notes | 335 |
Index | 378 |
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Expressions et termes fréquents
Abraham according Acts animals Apparently believe bible biblical verses body Books brain Christ Christian Church Commandments concept contradicts David David Friedrich Strauss David Strauss dead death denied disciples divinely inspired earth editor-in-chief Egypt Encyclopedia Britannica eternal evil example existence Ezek faith father Feuerbach flesh Friedrich Nietzsche Furthermore God's gospel hath heaven hell Holy human Israel Israelites jBqj Jesus Jews John kill king live Lord Ludwig Feuerbach maintain Mark Twain Matthew mind moral Moses nature Nietzsche Old Testament Oscar Wilde passage claims Paul person Pope priest prophecy prophets punishment R.M. Hutchins reason religion religious resurrection Robert Ingersoll salvation says Scripture sense Shakespeare Somerset Maugham soul tells thee things Thou shalt told translated Trinity truth unto Walter Kaufmann Western World wife William Shakespeare woman women words