Would you assume a non-Christian hasn't read the Bible?

Hi Lecanis, I admit - I have no confession at all but I still believe there is something out there to which we all are connected (more or less aware of it) and it doesn't really matter what we call it (I think so). I have read not all but a lot of the bible, had 11 years of "Religion" (Lutheran) at school and went to Church a lot... - But I am not a Christian. I read the Bhagavad Gita, - But I am not a Hindu. I read the Dianetics, - But I am not a Scientologist. I read a couple of books of A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, - But I'm not a Krishna-follower. I read a few books on Buddhism, But I am not a Buddhist. The reason why I am still with no confession is that I cannot totally agree with any religion or believe. The closest I have come to were Buddhism and the Scientologists - from my (trying to be "neutral") perspective. I just did not want to live my life as a Monk; I thought if that would be my way, I should have been born closer to Tibet... And the Scientologist's way was way too expensive for me at the time when I approached them. So I left them (after a few months and a 'handful' of visits). I believe what I believe even when it means that there is no 'God' involved. To be honest, I haven't found a name yet for what I have experienced. It was a bit like everything because reasoning could take you to anyone of the 5 believes. - Believe in 1 God - Believe in more than 1 God - Believe in some 'higher conscience' or 'Spirit' (e.g. Buddhism) - Believe in nothing at all - Believe that all 4 previous believes are valid, as every person perceives the world at their own level of conscious perception and their reasoning leads them to their believe. If there is a God (or more) I'm sure they would forgive anyone who does not believe in them just as I would 'forgive' my kids if they don't believe in me... After all I rather see my Kids having faith in themselves than in me, as I can take care for them even if they don't believe in me - this is called 'unconditional love' (or at least one little part of it). And I think if I can do this, I'm sure any 'God' could do that too. This is why I think that having faith in yourself is more important than the faith in God(s) - She'll be patiently waiting. ;) And once you face is strong enough to cope with whatsoever, you could then focus more on your faith in God(s) (or whatever else you believe in).

LOL I've gone through that with ppl NUMEROUS times...both online AND offline and I have to say I find it quite amusing when ppl like that DO assume that I'm uneducated just because NOW I'm not Christian....When they find out that not only have i read the bible more than once but I WAS a Christian they either are shocked like what you mentioned OR they make ridiculous claims (as I'm sure you've seen happen in here) that I must not or wasnt REALLY Christian...LOL that one just slays me :-/

I think that most pagans have in fact read the bible. I've found that pagans in many cases spend long periods of time seeking their spiritual path and researching other religions aids them in this. I've also found that a number of former Christians have read the bible completely and this is the very book that turns them away from the religion. On the other side of the coin, I wonder how many So called Christians have actually read the bible. I think that most are simply spoon fed. Preachers pluck out the verses and tell them what they mean and they regurgitate(sp) the same crap to their kids. So the kids grow up as brainwashed and undereducated in their own religious history as their parents. My, that was a synicsism I wasn't expecting from myself. LOL

I actually have to wonder if the people who read it actually stand back & annalyze it or just assume it to be the spot on fact. When I studied it I found too many inconsistancies & things that just didn't make sense so I put it down. That was just one of the reasons I walked away from that belief system( there were several other reasons ). If you remember one of my earlier posts you know one example of what I'm talking about where things really don't make sense. At one time I could actually quote from it. That memory file has sense been deleted.

Christians take that same attitude with Jews. We could not possibly understand them and their christ because we have not read anything. I have read the catholic bible the king james translation and several other translations. I have also read the book of mormon and the jehovahs witness bible. I have also read a translation of the Quaran several times. I also have a pretty good handle on the history of the Quakers and the Shakers. I know the Creeds of most of the major religious sects which most people do not even know their churches have a creed. So I would say that I am as knowlegeable if not more so than most christians are about their bibles and their faith and their creeds and supposed beliefs. And I will never cave to their misinterpretations of my Bible the Torah. If you are going to read something and interpret it, then you have to read the whole book and take it as a whole story not rip bits and pieces out and fit them together as a mismatched puzzle. And you do not take a story from it and plagiarize it and rewrite it and say it is your own and make it out to be a future prophecy and terrorize future generations with it. OK I'm done for now. I think that about covers it. You get the picture! Shalom~Adoniah

i think alot of people dont read the bible, i dont know why they wouldnt.. but "CHristians" only read part of the bible , you see they forget to read the first part (old testament) :)

I suppose it's a natural assumption of Christians that pagans don't read the Bible. Personally, I was christened into the faith as a baby, and enrolled in Sunday School, etc., and I have read the Bible, yes. Then later in life, I decided Christianity wasn't for me, and changed my path. But, the upshoot of paganism is that we teach ourselves by reading a lot, "read, read, read, learn about other faiths, and make your own decisions", is what I was told. So, no, I would never make the assumption that any non-Christian hasn't at some time read at least a part of the Bible. In fact, the Bible is quite comparitive to other traditions' stories. It's just that they're read with the Christian God in mind, rather than a broader aspect. Brightest Blessings, my friend. x

I hope that you're coworker did learn something from you, judging by the way she reacted, she must've felt her world shaking!;) Well I believe we've discussed this from the past already and I'm also glad that you actually made even more good points about that book than me, but I didn't reacted like the way your co-worker did!;) For both, I think it really depends on people on what they prefer and tend to believe in. Some Christians even prefer to go to churches than read the bible and try to figure out what those words written in it means, as what I've noticed from some of my encounters from other people here on mylot and personally. Honestly, I don't really make assumptions to others just because they do not belong to my preferred beliefs. I would like be friends with them, so I could also learn more about their beliefs.

No, why would anyone make that assumption. I don't see that reading scripture can really make anyone believe anything. Or at least just reading scripture cannot. all the best urban

No, I sure wouldn't assume it all because I know it to be untrue. My brother read the entire Bible years ago while in college and he decided from that as well as his other education to not be a Christian. I'm not passing judgment on anyone here, just stating the facts as they pertain to him. It's unfair to make an assumption either way as there are many Christians that have never read the Bible, at least the entire thing and many non-Christians who have. It works the other way around as well, but there's certainly no set rule here. Great topic! Annie

I think Christians assume that no other book other than the Bible can make a person feel good about it. That is what makes them go round searching for followers and suggesting them to read their version of the Bible. So far, people who come preaching have mostly have this reason to suggest their version of the Bible to me "Your heart will tell you how good it is". Since they do not realise that the main aim of religion(any religion for that matter) is to improve man's lower nature and learn from all there is to learn in life. I guess it would be better if Christians start reading books of other religions, so it would make them realise that all faiths recommend love and brotherhood of man and actually stop prescribing their Holy book to others.

Seems we both started discussions here about the bible..LOL..mine on a more scientific direction. To be honest I haven't a clue why people assume that because one follows a different religious path that one hasn't read the bible. I mean I was raised in a Christian upbringing but like you decided to follow a pagan/wiccan path, yet haven't completely abandoned my Christian viewpoints either. But many of my neighbors, one in particular who must be more Catholic than the Pope assumes that I've never read the Bible..wrong,..have...assumes that every night at the witching hour that I'm casting spells all the time...wrong...and on and on...she's actually afraid of me now..Funny considering we (meaning my mother when she was still alive and I) had lived here a long time and knew her..before she found out I was a "witch" she thought I was "normal"..all that changed when she found out my religious path...strange no? I'm the same person I always was but now her perception of me has changed. It would surprise her to know that yes, I have read the Bible and probably more than she has despite all her "devoteness" I think a lot of non-Christians have read the Bible, just as many non-Moslims have read the Koran, and so forth...Its just an erroneous belief that many Christians have that make them view that the Bible is the sole property of Christians and therefore not read by non-Christians

Hi again Lecanis...I think there is a prevailing view that those who have different spiritual beliefs than Christianity may not have read the Bible. It has happened in my case as well...and they are always floored when I quote a scripture that reveals their judgments are not very Christian like. Many of my friends who were raised in the church were forced to study the Bible...and it was the constraint, judgment and bigotry FROM reading the Bible that turned them off organized religion and led them to seeking a different path. So your observations are always good ones...and assumptions continue to do as it says they make an 'A@#' of themselves because of it. Raia

I was a Christian, now I'm more agnostic than Christian. If I know that someone is not Christian, sincerely I would make the lazy assumption that he/she has not read the Bible. I have not read all the Bible myself when I was young, and some Christian ex-classmates of mine didn't even know the history of David, so I would think a non-Christian is even less interested than christians, but you made me think it's the contrary. Maybe a non-christian in a christian country would read the bible to know the culture of the people he/she knows. However, even if I was an active Christian, I would never say to anyone "You have to read the bible". It's just rude

Hi lecanis, There are many people who read the Bible, but they do not open their heart to God's Word. There are many things in the Bible that many people just do not want to believe. For instance, Jesus commanded us to love our enemies and do good to those who hurt us. Well that can be very hard to do! That is just one of many things in God's Word that people just do not want to do or agree with. Lots of people may know the Bible very well, but they have not applied it to their hearts. Even satan knows the Bible. God bless.

My sister is a Pagan and has read the Bible many times and has studied it. People are always trying to convert her to Christianity and say to read the Bible. She can quote passages better then many who want to thump her. I would never assume that because you aren't a faith you haven't looked into it.

No, I don't assume that. In fact, I believe most the say they are non-Christian has even read all through the entire Bible and even at one point in their lives, they did believe...My one son is like that, he was really good at memorizing, much better than I, but right now he says he doesn't believe..

I'll do you one better, why would anyone assume that a person who is into Shamanism can't be Christian, too? Some people who believe in Shamanism believe in that exclusive of Christianity, but some believe in it inclusive of Christianity. There is a book out now called Shamanic Christianity. Many people believe Jesus was a great Shaman. He healed mind, body, and spirit. How much more of a holistic healer can you get than that? Everyone's beliefs differ. I actually know many Pagans who have read the Bible, for a variety of reasons, as well as many Earthbased people and Goddess worshiping ones as well, I have a Buddhist friend who has read the Bible. Yes, people have assumed that I've never read the Bible and also that I don't believe in Jesus. I may see Jesus differently, but that doesn't mean I don't believe in him. But some studiers of Shamanism think much differently from me. Everyone's beliefs differ, I don't think anyone should assume anything.

I think that it can be a logical assumption, in the same way that a person may assume that a non- Muslim has not read the Koran. But.. you know what happens when you assume, right? I would not make any assumptions about anything, because people do things that surprise me all the time. I can think of many reasons a non- Christian would read the bible. Maybe a person who is not a Christian used to be, or maybe they just have a quest for knowledge. Or maybe they thought, maybe there's something to the Bible, and I'll give it a chance, or maybe they wanted to find things to try to prove Christians wrong, or have material to argue with. I could go on, but you get the point. What bothers me most is the assumption that reading the bible will convert people. How egocentric is that? Maybe I will write my own bible, and people will automatically convert to the Church of Sillychick when they read it, and it will be the one and only Right Religion, and they will all bow to me and thank me for saving their poor, wretched souls. And they will give me money, because I will write in the bible that they must, if they want to be saved. (Hey, maybe I'm on to something here..hehehe.)

I guess no. The Bible is can be found everywhere. I doubt if a person, which is non-Christian, found a bible, for sure he/she will read it.