do you study the Christian Bible?

[Jade Moon]

Like alot of us, I grew up in a "Christian" home. I'm now a "Pagan," but I still sometimes read the Bible and find many verses inspirational. I don't take any of it literally, but there are many verses which are very comforting to me. I'm wondering how many other Pagans study the Bible.

[Annest]

i read the bible every now and then, and the quaran(sp) and every other religious book I can get my hands on. I´m just interested in how different religions work.

[Arion]

I go to a Catholic high school, so I had to read and sometimes analyze certain Bible passages for Religion/Theology courses, not to mention having the teachers talk about the Bible in lessons.

I tried to read it a few times, just for interest's sake, but I couldn't get through it. The Old Testament seemed really violent, and kind of chauvanistic. SOme of the stories were strange too, like when God blessed that couple in their 90s with a son (Abraham and... Sarah, was it?).

[Aina]

Meh, it is part of my religon, so I read it. :p

This is my first time ever reading it from front to back though..

[Cassie]

I studied it in some detail at university and still find it interesting although I don't look at it very often these days.

[LacyRoze]

As the bible is a part of my faith I read it almost daily. It has brought me comfort in difficult times and often inspires me..

[DarkDancer]

I've tried to read it, like a book, and I will finish it one of these days, but man is it dry....

[Heart of All]

I once read it cover to cover in 2 months, and, while parts of it were really awful, there were a few parts that I really enjoyed reading. Like the beginning of Ezekiel struck me as a UFO encounter. And when I got to Song of Solomon, I was like "Woah. There's SEX in the BIBLE!?" Anyway, at the time I was planning on being a literature major, so it was important to me to read. I think there are a lot of truths in it, and I enjoy looking for ways the Bible fits into my new non-Christian religion. It's so interesting how many similarities there are.

[Tanya]

I find nw when I read it I have a lot more open mind than when I was having it rammed down my throat, and often find I enjoy it... as well.. especially in the old testament, lots of connections with pagan traditions in the song of solomon and kings. Frankly who wouldn't think Jesus was an awesome dude.. but St. Paul the mysoginist just pisses me off and St. Augustine...well.. i think he should have just applied hand to genitals a little more often and spared us his angst.

[Prinsazz]

Tanya I agree with you

Even though it isnt an integral part of my religion, just like all the holy books there is always some good to come out of it. Frankly if we all loved our neighbour and accepted everyone like Jesus did the world would be a better place. To me it is literary, but there is still good to come out of it. Plus the Old Testament rocks, I like the stories, but that is what i see them as.

[demonique]

I've been meaning to get around to a cover to cover reading of it! I still do find certain passages inspiring and comforting. Just because the religion and dogma behind it isn't mine, and just because some passages do remind me why I am not a Christian, doesn't mean there isn't some truth and wisdom within.

[Shield_Wolf]

I read the Bible often as a literary work myself. I like to study religion and to understand one I read the book.

[~Belladonna~]

It's not part of my religion, and I've only ever read parts of it, but Jesus sounds awesome!!!

[Tigerlily]

I've read bits and parts of as a part of bible study or during church. I'm not out of the broom with my [Christian] family, so I often "pretend" to be Christian. :o

[Sionnach le Fey]

I've never read the Bible. I don't come from a Christian family or Christian school so I've never had the need to.

[blueangel]

As a child, Bible stories were told as bedtime stories. is this counted as studying the Bible? Anyway i don't read them any more, but purely because i remember a lot of them. Many of the stories have good moral lessons to be learned so it's not a bad thing, but then i don't read the Koran or other religious texts now either.

[zionwood]

Someone mentioned St. Augustine...but he's not actually in the Bible per se. I'm pretty sure he's not in the Apocrypha or Pseudographia ("extra gospels" and so forth) either.
Then again, maybe they weren't trying to imply that he was in the Bible either.

[Rudas Starblaze]

Like alot of us, I grew up in a "Christian" home. I'm now a "Pagan," but I still sometimes read the Bible and find many verses inspirational. I don't take any of it literally, but there are many verses which are very comforting to me. I'm wondering how many other Pagans study the Bible.

i was a decan (elder) in the church as a teen before i was kicked out for witchcraft and satanism. so yes, ive studied the bible.

[LostSheep]

Actually I've just started browsing through the King James version, with all the Apocrypha and everything. Not much of the OT may be particularly relevant to Christians now (in my humble opinion anyway), but looked at just as literature, there's some awesome poetry, if you skip over the bits where YHWH is smiting yet more of the enemies of Israel ....

and yes, I think the New Testament is still relevant, if you get past all the dogma that was heaped on it by thousands of years of the church, and try to get down to what Jesus was actually saying.

[LostSheep]

Someone mentioned St. Augustine...but he's not actually in the Bible per se. I'm pretty sure he's not in the Apocrypha or Pseudographia ("extra gospels" and so forth) either.
Then again, maybe they weren't trying to imply that he was in the Bible either.

He came a bit later, but he's a good example of how people can make their own interpretations of what it says and turn it round to suit what they want it to say. He was the one who was responsible for the whole idea of "original sin" (which the bible doesn't actually mention), that was just how he interpreted the story of Adam & Eve, which was just about disobedience to God originally, all the hangups about sex came later).

[Brightshores]

I find nw when I read it I have a lot more open mind than when I was having it rammed down my throat, and often find I enjoy it... as well.. especially in the old testament, lots of connections with pagan traditions in the song of solomon and kings. Frankly who wouldn't think Jesus was an awesome dude.. but St. Paul the mysoginist just pisses me off and St. Augustine...well.. i think he should have just applied hand to genitals a little more often and spared us his angst.
:fpraise: :fpraise: :fpraise:

Tanya, we really do think alike. :) I couldn't have put it nearly so well, though.

Anyway - I used to study the Bible when I was Christian, now when I look at it, I'm either viewing it from a historical or literary perspective, or I'm just looking up some point of theology relevant to a news story or some conversation I'm having. There are a lot of verses in there that are relevant to people of all faiths, but there are many more that I simply don't agree with anymore.

[kheretsenu]

I've read at least some of it for literary/historical reasons. I'm quite obsessed with British literature and history, which is highly influenced by Christianity and the Bible. For instance, Paradise Lost is difficult to understand fully without some Biblical knowledge. I'm especially fond of the Victorians, and you can't get away from the Bible with them. :)

If British lit and history didn't play such an important role in my life, then no, I probably would never open the thing, as it has no bearing on my spirituality and I don't find the stories to be all that interesting in and of themselves. :whistle:

[ap Dafydd]

No, I am a Pagan.

gwyn eich byd

Ffred

[David19]

No, I am a Pagan.

gwyn eich byd

Ffred

Just wanted to add, that you could still study it (or any text of another religion) and still remain Pagan, in fact, it probably makes people smarted and more sophisticated if they study worldviews, cosmologies, beliefs, etc outside their own.

For example, I'm a Pagan too, but I still like learning and studying other religions such as Buddhism, Taoism, Hinduism, and a few others, as well as other Pagan faiths (e.g. I'm not a Heathen but I really enjoy learning about Heathen beliefs, etc).

Just wanted to say that.

But in reply to the original topic, I haven't studies the Christian bible, but I definantly want to learn more about Christianity, especially early Christianity, it's history, etc (I'd also like to learn more about Judaism and various traditions within that as well as Islam).

[ShadowStalker]

I never really studied the Bible... but I have read it, cover to cover, a few times. :p I like to know what I'm talking about when I'm arguing with someone. :lol:

[Zibblsnrt]

No, I am a Pagan.

gwyn eich byd

Ffred

I'm an historian, but that doesn't mean I can't study physics.

[cheddarsox]

Just like everything else in my life, I seem to go in phases where I read stuff from the Bible, and then don't for long periods. I am currently in a spirituality class that is studying the Beatitudes (some teachings of Jesus) and part of that includes daily Bible reading..from all over the Bible. So, by default I'm in a "on" phase.

I find lots of wisdom, and lots to think about in the Bible.

When I got my first tattoo...I ended up getting a verse from the bible tattooed onto my ankle. It is one I have always loved and lived by. The fact that Jesus was the one who said it is incidental.

"Take no thought for the morrow...sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof."

The Bible is part of my culture and heritage. I don't avoid it, but it is not scripture to me, as in THE word of God and binding. But it has alot to offer me.

cheddar

[Skadi]

I've read the entire bible 2x. Mostly just for something to read.

[ap Dafydd]

I'm an historian, but that doesn't mean I can't study physics.

True, but it might mean that you have better things to do and not _want_ to study physics!

gwyn eich byd

Ffred

[LostSheep]

True, but it might mean that you have better things to do and not _want_ to study physics!

gwyn eich byd

Ffred
maybe reading might promote understanding?

[RubyRose]

Nope. There have been times where I've thought I should probably read it out of curiousities sake but I haven't yet.

[Jolixte]

I've only read it all once, and I was so horrified that I haven't touched it much since.

[LadyDracona1984]

I read it quite frequently as a scholarly work not for religious reasons (although I do love the Song of Solomon it's fun, if you look it at you end up going what is a classical love poem doing in the bible?) I'm concentrating my Masters as much as possible on Early Christianity so the Bible is kind of a necessary part of my library... I just bought a new one so all my references are missing and markings and all that... makes things harder to find. I really need to play with my new one more...

[IsauraStrider]

I did as a kid which caused me to run from the religion screaming. There's horrible stuff in that thing.

[RainInanna]

I keep wanting to but with all the stuff I have on the go I haven't had time.

[ModernKnight]

Only for historical, not religious purposes.

[Agaliha]

i read the bible every now and then, and the quaran(sp) and every other religious book I can get my hands on. I´m just interested in how different religions work.

Voted: Yes, I've occassionally read some verses
I've read some of Genesis, bits and pieces of the rest of the OT. The Gospels (twice)and...that's about it.
I don't have a problem reading the bible though. I know what a lot of it is about (in a general way), I never read the details of most of it though. I also read many Gnostic Gospels as well.

I'm reading the Qu'ran now actually.
More in detail though.

Like Annest I like reading all the religious books, I'm obsessed with learning about them. It's a hobby of mine. I don't mind reading them either. Sometimes it's just for historical reasons, sometimes for spiritual or something else. Just because it's not part of my spiritual path doesn't mean I can't understand and learn from it. All of the major (and even minor) paths have wisdom and things everyone can take with them and learn. I'm not a Muslim, but I feel reading the Qu'ran is interesting and important. One may be a Pagan, but that doesn't mean the Bible is off limits, believe it or not but there are some great stories and ideas in the Bible....Just saying.

[LostSheep]

Some parts of Exodus and Deuteronomy and Leviticus can be, um, not exactly gripping, though... useful if you ever want to build your own Ark of the Covenant, perhaps.

[Windsmith]

Some parts of Exodus and Deuteronomy and Leviticus can be, um, not exactly gripping, though... useful if you ever want to build your own Ark of the Covenant, perhaps.Totally! I actually own a copy of the Bible that has this plan where you read a chapter or so a day and read the whole thing in 3 years. They alternated between testaments - read Genesis, then read Matthew, then Exodus, then Mark, etc. I was so committed - and then I got to Leviticus and Deuteronomy. And they just...never...ended. I abandoned the endeavor without much regret.

[LostSheep]

Totally! I actually own a copy of the Bible that has this plan where you read a chapter or so a day and read the whole thing in 3 years. They alternated between testaments - read Genesis, then read Matthew, then Exodus, then Mark, etc. I was so committed - and then I got to Leviticus and Deuteronomy. And they just...never...ended. I abandoned the endeavor without much regret.

I skipped to the Song of Solomon.

[Autumn]

I took a college class on the bible as literature and occasionally l look back if I want to know the answer to a question.

I was supposedly methodist as a kid, I was never horrified so much as I was bored. When I got older and started seeing how the bible gets twisted for nefarious reasons. That was when I got horrified!! LOL!!

[wolf]

I grew up Catholic. Outside of various bits and pieces that show up during Sunday Mass and CCD classes, Catholics do not read The Bible.

I am currently reading through The Bible. I've made it up to Proverbs in the KJV Old Testament. I read the New Testament first (had one of those Gideon pocket Bibles with the NT, Psalms, and Proverbs) but intend to go through to the conclusion in the full-sized Bible that I keep at my beside.

I much prefer knowing what is in there, rather than what other people tell me is in there. In a bit of contrast to that, when I'm on my way to work, there is a radio preacher who teaches lessons through whole books of The Bible rather than topically, who has a lot of interesting things to say in terms of relating Biblical accounts to modern-day experience.

[David19]

Voted: Yes, I've occassionally read some verses
I've read some of Genesis, bits and pieces of the rest of the OT. The Gospels (twice)and...that's about it.
I don't have a problem reading the bible though. I know what a lot of it is about (in a general way), I never read the details of most of it though. I also read many Gnostic Gospels as well.

I'm reading the Qu'ran now actually.
More in detail though.

Like Annest I like reading all the religious books, I'm obsessed with learning about them. It's a hobby of mine. I don't mind reading them either. Sometimes it's just for historical reasons, sometimes for spiritual or something else. Just because it's not part of my spiritual path doesn't mean I can't understand and learn from it. All of the major (and even minor) paths have wisdom and things everyone can take with them and learn. I'm not a Muslim, but I feel reading the Qu'ran is interesting and important. One may be a Pagan, but that doesn't mean the Bible is off limits, believe it or not but there are some great stories and ideas in the Bible....Just saying.

That sounds really cool, and I'm a bit like that, I'd like to learn about a lot of different religions, it's also cool that you're learning about Islam, as I think it's important people do, considering the current stereotypes about Arab Muslims going about.

[wolf]

I read the Koran in 2005. From my reading, some of the stereotypes should be considered "accurate descriptions."

[Tranquility]

Yes. Sometime soon I'm going to read it cover to cover. It doesn't matter what religion it's associated with to me, because it's loaded with wisdom either way.

[inkywitch]

I've tried to read it, like a book, and I will finish it one of these days, but man is it dry....

On top of that, I like reading reports and articles on other people's dissecting of the Bible. Not because its a part of my religion, not for firepower against the door knocking evangelists, but just because I find it interesting.

[Xirian]

I used to study the bible during my childhood as a Jehovah's Witness. I've read through it about three times now. However, the older I get the more interested I become in certain aspects of it (especially anything related to war and understanding their thinking about war), because I have a totally different view of it now. And like Tanya posted earlier, I have a much more open mind when it's not being forced upon me and someone isn't telling me how I should preceive what I'm reading.


On top of that, I like reading reports and articles on other people's dissecting of the Bible. Not because its a part of my religion, not for firepower against the door knocking evangelists, but just because I find it interesting.

I feel exactly the same inkywitch. I find the contents of the bible much more pleasurable to learn about now, simply because the various interpretations are interesting and I can draw my own conclusions.

[Lyrien]

I own one and have read parts of it from time to time, but always from an outside perspective.

I wasn't raised Christian, or anything for that matter. So by the time I started reading the bible, it was from a more paganish eye.

[daphnerose]

As a child I read the bible, and tried to reach out to *God/Jesus* and got emptiness in return. I wasn't raised christian, rarely attended churches, and when I did I was ostracized. I also had a babysitter who would read revelations to me in the dark. As an adult, I feel no desire to read/learn anything about the bible. Its just another book imo, written by men. My spiritual connection is to the earth.

[LostSheep]

As a child I read the bible, and tried to reach out to *God/Jesus* and got emptiness in return. I wasn't raised christian, rarely attended churches, and when I did I was ostracized. I also had a babysitter who would read revelations to me in the dark. As an adult, I feel no desire to read/learn anything about the bible. Its just another book imo, written by men. My spiritual connection is to the earth.

Now why didn't i have a babysitter like that?? (well ok, i never had a babysitter, but anyway..) Revelations is ace! Anything in which a lamb gets his own back is ok with this sheep.

[Crystal_Raye]

I read the Bible on and off again for knowledge and sometimes inspiration.

[fay]

I have read parts of the Bible, but I haven't studied it as such. I don't own a copy anymore but we have copies at home if I ever felt the urge to read it.

My friend who is a bit of a happy clappy type Christian has been trying to read the Bible cover to cover recently as she said that she never had and felt like she should. She said that it is not a particularly gripping read. I don't think that it is particularly great for trying to read like a story book from front to back. Personally, I used to like to dip in and out of it.

[~*Sacred*~]

I've never read the bible. I've considered studying it for better knowledge about the Christian religion. I really don't know much about it at all.

[Empress Stillnight]

I used to study the Bible in the mindset that it was God's infallible word. Then I experienced people using those words to control others, and I started viewing the Bible in a little different light. When I read it on my own without consulting a Bible encyclopedia or someone else's commentary on what this or that meant, I came up with a whole different outlook.

[Fireheart]

I used to study the Bible. Two college classes and loads of apologetics later, I really don't have much interest anymore.

[Teresa]

I use the Secret of the Psalms in some of my workings. It has been said that Moses was a very talented Hoodoo man taught by his Father-in-Law Jesse. The use of folk and ceremonial magic in those times fascinates me greatly.

[enteef89]

I do, but just for the story of it. I can agree with the teachings of Jesus, who was a great leader. It is a very interesting book, in some parts, and has a lot of information, some of which is historical. But it is not a part of my belief system.

[Hærfest Leah]

I don't, I see no point in it.

[coeur]

I think it's important to know regardless of your religion because so many modern countries are built on Christian ideals. Christianity has shaped the West historically and culturally in a way that few religions have before or after so, in order to understand your surroundings, I think that you must study Christianity to some extent. I think that every American should read the Koran because America is so involved in the Middle East right now that we need to have an understanding of the cultural atmosphere in order to be competent citizens. I think that not knowing Christianity is like being in the Congo without a map.

[Rippy]

I agree, Jade Moon. I grew up as a Christaian also and I sometimes read some verses and find them comforting in a non-literal way. Still, though, it's just another fiction book-- dustier than some others on my bookshelf and sometimes less well written. I feel no connection to it. The only 'bible' I need is nature.

[PaulKrul]

Because of the wide-spread use of the bible I've read it and through references reread a number of verses. For my own view it's very very badly written, literally speaking. Since the bible wasn't written centuries after Christ died the contents seem to be a mixture of old-pagan stories and beliefs with masculine dominance.

Besides the "stealing" of almost every feast, rite and tradition (which all religions do to some degree) I found the bible so hostile to women and edited so many times that it was both uninspirational and even offensive at times.

[Rachel]

Yep. I love going to Christian church and bible study groups. There's a lot of times where mine and their interpretation and view points don't match up at all, but it's a good experience none the less.

[dragoncrone]

It's kind of handy for looking up the occasional socio-religious concept. For example, I found out that Noah was told to take SEVEN each of all the 'clean' animals into the ark. (by the time they had been on that boat for 40 days I bet NONE of 'em were clean!)

[Mesektet]

I keep a couple different vulgates handy.

[SweetIsTheTruth]

I went to church for 10 years as a kid, but stopped at age 16. I don't even own a bible now. I have nothing against it. It's just that for me, there are so many more modern and relevant texts to draw from, that inspire me far more than the bible.

My maternal grandmother used to use it to read certain passages and heal people, but she was no Christian. She read tea leaves, but also could scry dishwater.

[Moonlite Faery]

I was brought up in the church, and went until i was about 17 then i went off and on my first 2 years of college. but i dont go anymore, for personal reasons mainly. but during my childhood years, when i was living at home i remember studying it and having to learn the verses. but if you were to ask me them now i couldnt tell you. i know the stories but thats about it.

[IvyWitch]

I studied the Bible in college as a literary work, and also did some study of it as a religious and cultural work, but from a scholarly viewpoint and not really a religious one.

[Petunia]

I haven't taken the time to read all of these posts but I believe this to be a unique circumstance.

A very good friend of mine has severe ADHD and reading the Bible actually helped with that. Not in any spiritual way, but because alot of the Old Testament especially requires considerable concentration. Particularly when you get into the begatting. It helped train her mind to focus.

[Sharpchick]

I own several versions of the Bible and use it as a study aid in the context of my own personal comparative religion study. There are many Old Testament scriptures, for instance, that clearly demonstrate the tenacity with which pagans continued to worship the Divine feminine, even in the face of the incredible destruction of their places of worship and their own lives by Israelites invading their homes and ancestral lands.

[ravenhecate999]

I think all pagans should at least know somthing about the bible. We ask that people understand and be tolerant of our religion, therefore we should do the same. Also, when people ask questions about my religion,I find it is much easier to answer their questions if you know somthing they understand to compare it to.

[Semjaza]

I didn't grow up in a Christian home, but we did have a Bible or two kicking around. I remember reading the children's version, and Genesis and Revelations, but I don't remember much about it. I was always more interested in the fallen angels and Apocrypha, especially the Book of Enoch. So no, I wouldn't say that I study the Bible. I'll probably try to read it again sometime, but I promised myself I'd get the Koran finished first....

Cheers,

Semjaza

[Morrigan_Wolfwind]

I studied the Bible at the start of the second semester, and I was surprised at how much better I understood Christianity/Catholicism as we read. It's kind of sad how a religion based on forgiveness, faith, and generosity has been twisted into a stereotype of religious zealots who persecute anyone that so much as thinks about doubting God's existence.

The Song of Solomon is also a very beautiful piece of writing.

[David19]

I didn't grow up in a Christian home, but we did have a Bible or two kicking around. I remember reading the children's version, and Genesis and Revelations, but I don't remember much about it. I was always more interested in the fallen angels and Apocrypha, especially the Book of Enoch. So no, I wouldn't say that I study the Bible. I'll probably try to read it again sometime, but I promised myself I'd get the Koran finished first....

Cheers,

Semjaza

I'm like you, although I've never really studied the Bible, but I have been interested in the Fallen Angels, the Book of Enoch, demons in Christianity, Satan and the war in Heaven, and also Revelations (I must be alone in Paganism, as I quite like Revelations, in fact, there's a book on it that I want to get).

To me, I think Christianity has quite a cool mythos, possibly, IMO, rivaling that of other mythologies.

I also want to learn more about Islam too, especially Sufism, and Judaism, especially the mystical traditions like the Kabbalah (as you already know, I've got loads I want to learn about and so many books I want to get).

[LostSheep]

Revelation rocks. I am, naturally, pleased that a sheep plays a significant part in it.

Did you know that there's a book about it called "Triumph of the Lamb"?

http://www.amazon.com/review/product/0875522009/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?%5Fencoding=UTF8&showViewpoints=1

I must try to get it.

[David19]

Revelation rocks. I am, naturally, pleased that a sheep plays a significant part in it.

Did you know that there's a book about it called "Triumph of the Lamb"?

http://www.amazon.com/review/product/0875522009/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?%5Fencoding=UTF8&showViewpoints=1

I must try to get it.

Thanks for linking that book, I might try and get it too.

There's also 'A History of the End of the World: How the Most Controversial Book in the Bible Changed the Course of Western Civilization' by Jonathan Kirsch (http://www.amazon.com/History-End-World-Controversial-Civilization/dp/B000QW7QEU/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1206463549&sr=1-1), which sounds really cool too, as is one I want to get.

You can listen to the author talking about it in an interview too (http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6160167), which has some cool info too.

[wolf]

I am about to delve into "The Other Bible" which is a collection of books that didn't make it into the KJV.

[Amanda Mitchell]

I read some sometimes... not often though... maybe once in a blue moon (lol... just like when I was a Christian!)

[mystic_zoe]

i have honestly never read a bible. im actually trying to learn more about Christianity but through websites and stuff.

[Infinite Grey]

i have honestly never read a bible. im actually trying to learn more about Christianity but through websites and stuff.

The ironic thing about Christianity is you won't learn much about Christianity from actual Christians. The sad thing is that Christians rarely know anything about their religion, relying on what their preacher, priest, pastor, reverend, what ever for most of their religious and spiritual needs. It's only in relative recent times that the common folk even had access to the bible, let alone the ability to actually read it. Most of Christianity religious doctrines and morality is passed on through tradition. Oh they have Sunday school and learn a few passages, but it's barely a superficial understanding.

Read the bible, study the history of christianity, study the history of the bible. It has only been portrayed in a "Ned Flanders" sort of way very recently in its history. The old school Christians were more like the Phelps.

[mystic_zoe]

Read the bible, study the history of christianity, study the history of the bible. It has only been portrayed in a "Ned Flanders" sort of way very recently in its history. The old school Christians were more like the Phelps.

i pretty interested in learning the history of the religion and the bible.
but ive read passages which have been taken from the bible and they're..not to sound stupid..wordy. it requires concentration and im honestly not that interested in reading it...at the moment anyhow.

but thanks for the advice/comment :)

[coyoger]

I have read it in the past , but i see it as any other book ever written. There are good parts that I can take and use in my life, and there are parts to ignor.