jcddyer OP t1_j2tgy61 wrote on January 3, 2023 at 9:01 PM

Reply to comment by _iam_that_iam_ in [OC] Bible Reading Plan as Circle by jcddyer

Thanks for this - Great reading recommendations.

Since you are so familiar with the Biblical texts and have such an interesting screen name (yhwh inspired?), I’m genuinely interested in what books or ideas most convinced you toward atheism. I ask in part because I personally struggle less with issues in the text itself and more in my own experiences. For example, I wonder why if there is a Holy Spirit that’s supposed to make me more like Jesus, why I’m still so often such a jerk.

_iam_that_iam_ t1_j2tla7u wrote on January 3, 2023 at 9:27 PM

Yes, my handle is definitely a biblical reference. For me I think reading the Bible cover-to-cover made me realize that it just doesn't add up. If God is unchanging, he wouldn't ever command people to commit genocide. He wouldn't command to kill non-Israelite children and then later condemn the killing of Israelite children.

When I allowed myself to take a step back from the Bible and analyze it the same way I would the discussion of Greek Gods in the Iliad, or Native American traditions, or whatever, it became obvious to me that they are all fables. Why try to bend the reality of world history, archaeology, evolution, etc. to try to match a fable? Noah's Ark? Come on.

FWIW, I don't think you're a jerk OP. ;)

jcddyer OP t1_j2u4jln wrote on January 3, 2023 at 11:29 PM

Thanks for sharing. Blessings to you.