I want to read it, but there are lots of different versions and parts, right?

What's a nice, user friendly one?

The new international version is the easiest to understand. Although it's not very accurate, I think it's a nice Bible for a beginner to read to get a good overview.

You'll also want a good dictionary and Concordance at hand.

Start by burning it.

the sooner you read it, the sooner you'll become an atheist

quote:Originally posted by dburgess90:

Start by burning it.

I’m an atheist and even I acknowledge the importance of having a basic understanding of the Bible. It’s had an incredible effect on Western society so even if you’re not a Christian, a good understanding of it’s tenets, etc. will explain a lot about where society is at and why.

Also, there’s so many great works of art that make references to the Bible and many other groups of mythology, so to fail to have an understanding of any myths is to miss out on a lot of meaning in paintings, literature and songs.

Plus it’s always good to have some knowledge of it for when you do run into the type of Christian that preaches Bible passages.

Believe in it or not, it still has many great and true sayings, like "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone."

Atheist or not, it's a good saying.

And I'm pretty much agnostic, I just want to be more educated.

The New King James version is accurate and easy-to-read. There's a tradeoff between readability and accuracy, generally; the meaning is often changed or rendered ambiguous when the translators revise it to fit modern English more closely. I think the New King James does a good job of sticking close to the original meaning while still being possible to read for pleasure, though.

As for where to start, it's generally recommended to read the New Testament first. It's shorter, easier, more pleasant, and - I think - much better overall.

Catholic Bibles have a few minor changes as well as a few extra books. The RSV version is a good one.

quote:Originally posted by Graah:

I want to read it, but there are lots of different versions and parts, right?

What's a nice, user friendly one?

I'd go with new international version.

Start by reading the four gospels.

(first four books of the new testament).

they will give you a very good idea of who jesus is. (independantly, they are good, but some miss a few points, and others fill da gap where da oda missed points..) so together, they will give you a greater perspective.

[This message has been edited by yoda_me07 (edited 01-19-2007).]

The NLT is the most accurate. New Living Translation.

Start with Genesis and go through. It won't hurt to read it in literature-order. Chronographically written, I would say Job was the first book, then genesis - judges I believe... but I don't remember much past Job being the first book written. I believe the story of Job was antediluvian.

You can try reading alternating testaments. Go Genesis-Deuteronomy, then read the 4 gospels (Matthew-John)+ Acts, then Joshua - 2 Chronicles. And so on and so forth.

start with the nag hammadi library THEN go NT THEN go OT.

WHy not learn about all religeons and belief systems and see what makes sense to you.

Or better yet try reading "Conversations with god", which cuts out all the dogma and gets straight down to what is what. Best explanations about life that I've ever come across.

i just the new international version and i understand it fine um go to a christian book store theyll be able to help you alot better than i could

i read almost the entire bible and im not an atheist so screw you all

[This message has been edited by rodrat16 (edited 01-19-2007).]

Genesis. You start at Genesis and end at Revelations

quote:Originally posted by ---Beany---:

WHy not learn about all religeons and belief systems and see what makes sense to you.

Or better yet try reading "Conversations with god", which cuts out all the dogma and gets straight down to what is what. Best explanations about life that I've ever come across.

Yes, yes, YES--especially "Communion with God" and "What God wants"--two of the latest in the series.

quote:Originally posted by Masero:

The NLT is the most accurate. New Living Translation.

Start with Genesis and go through. It won't hurt to read it in literature-order. Chronographically written, I would say Job was the first book, then genesis - judges I believe... but I don't remember much past Job being the first book written. I believe the story of Job was antediluvian.

You can try reading alternating testaments. Go Genesis-Deuteronomy, then read the 4 gospels (Matthew-John)+ Acts, then Joshua - 2 Chronicles. And so on and so forth.

new living is what i have great stuff.

pretty sure genesis happened before anything else.

The King James Version is the most popular and for a first timer I'd go with that. I think it's really the most relevant since most people read that one. Anyone who tells you to start off on the New International Version either doesn't know what they're talking about, is trying to fuck with you, or is just a pretentious dick.

Cheers,

Lost

quote:Originally posted by ArmsMerchant:

Yes, yes, YES--especially "Communion with God" and "What God wants"--two of the latest in the series.

Fucking right! Why settle for old bullshit when you can cut out the middle man and get fresh crap right out of the new ass?

quote:Originally posted by Graah:



What's a nice, user friendly one?

The Living Bible is by far the easiest read IMHO, and it's an unabashed paraphrase compared with the literal translations so loved by biblical inerrancy supporters. Check out this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Living_Bible

Liked this bit:"Trivia

In 1 Samuel 20:30, the Living Bible contains the phrase "son of a bitch". This angered many parents, especially since the phrase was also present in the children's version. The verse, where Saul is yelling at Jonathan, was toned down in later printings of the LB ("You fool!") and in the New Living Translation ("You stupid son of a whore!").

"

It's a good read but don't expect infallibility, the dude who did the translation is obviously interpreting it thru his own experience, but you asked for a nice user friendly one http://www.totse.com/bbs/biggrin.gif (http://www.totse.com/bbs/biggrin.gif)

BTW there's no right or wrong order to read the bible it's not like 'a' book, it's a library and you can start anywhere. I like the Gospel of John mainly because it emphasises belief in a good and loving divinity as the only prerequisite to eternal life and also I John and 2 John, they highlight the importance of love and 1 Corinthians 13, that gives an instructive definition of love.

Peace http://www.totse.com/bbs/smile.gif (http://www.totse.com/bbs/smile.gif)

http://skepticsannotatedbible.com/

http://skepticsannotatedbible.com/abs/short.html

quote:Originally posted by Masero:

The NLT is the most accurate. New Living Translation.

I'm no longer an expert, but I recall the NLT being pretty inaccurate - at least, not a very literal translation. I may be confusing it with another "Living" translation.

As Reverand Lovejoy once said, "Oh.. it's all good". Grab the nearest bible and get reading. Read the old testement too if you're man enough.

I read the one that has pictures you can colour in with crayons.

quote:Originally posted by boozehound420:

the sooner you read it, the sooner you'll become an atheist

such a dumbass book. God just keeps pwning everything and everyone's just like "oh no, god, stoppit, what do you want us to do, we'll do that stuff."

Really pathetic.

quote:Originally posted by Zonko:

As Reverand Lovejoy once said, "Oh.. it's all good". Grab the nearest bible and get reading. Read the old testement too if you're man enough.

Did you happen to go to school with something called a PACE?

EDIY:I think you may be misquoting btw unless we had two differant versions of Mr.Lovejoy.

[This message has been edited by SAMMY249 (edited 01-20-2007).]

Are you talking about the Rev. Lovejoy from the Simpsons or a real one?

Ok, thanks. King James and the NLT and the NIV it is then. I'll get all three and test the waters, since bibles aren't exactly that expensive.

I'm sure you could find a 3 column bible, they're kind of big, that has 2-3 of those versions all in one bible so you can read them and glean from all 3.



Also, to whoever was doubting on Job being the first chronological Bible... my sister's boyfriend went to christian school/bible college from 1st grade to graduating bible college and he says he's always learned that Job was written before the other books were written and that he was antediluvian (before the great flood). So, of course, the first part of genesis happened first, but Job happened before Noah's boat ride.

19:32 Come, let us make our father drink wine, and we will lie with him, that we may preserve seed of our father.

You should probably start "in the begining" Ha! I crack myself up with this shit

Skinner (calling Lovejoy): Mother's gone too far! She's put cardboard over her half of the television. We rented Man Without a Face; I didn't even know he had a problem! What should I do?

Lovejoy: Well, maybe you should read your Bible.

Skinner: Um, any particular passage?

Lovejoy: Oh, it's all good.

Copied and pasted from (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In_Marge_We_Trust)

Out of context, but not a misquote. Never question my knowledge of the simpsons.

[This message has been edited by Zonko (edited 01-20-2007).]