How many people who claim atheism study the Bible?

I've noticed several who can effectively quote from scripture when debating with Christians. Fascinating, and encouraging that you at least are willing to explore where the other side is coming from. If you are an Atheist who studies the Bible, do you have a favorite verse?

How many people who claim atheism study the Bible?
Lots of people are atheists BECAUSE they've studied the Bible.





I personally would NEVER worship the sadistic, immoral, killer God that it describes. I don't consider drowning, plaguing, and slaughtering millions (more than Hitler); hardening hearts; conspiring to have one's own kid brutally beaten and killed; and repeatedly commanding one's followers to kidnap, rape, torture, and kill others; to be 'love' or moral. Those who DO are free to slobber all over him.
Reply:From what I've seen, it's because a large number of Atheists are former Christians. Anyway, my favorite verse would probably be the one where Jesus yells at the Pharisees for their public displays of faith where they only show off for other people. I see a lot of Christians doing the exact same thing now and I wish more people would read that story.
Reply:I can't say that I've studied the bible, but I've read it from cover to cover and find it to be as valid a document as any other comic book.
Reply:Many of them are former Christians....which is why they know it so well...





Mine is "what shall it profit a man to gain the world if he shall lose his soul in the process"...hm....or "do not throw pearls before swine, for the pig will trample the pearls and turn to attack you"





Simply by virtue that they are universal lessons regardless of spiritual affiliation.
Reply:I'm an ex-Christian: yes, I know the bible well, but that's a good part of what convinced me of the need to become an atheist.





My favourite verses are largely to be found in Ecclesiastes.





There's always the NeoCon's verse:


"A wise man's heart inclines him toward the right, but a fool's heart toward the left." (Ecc10:2)
Reply:You forget that most of us were believers once and that it was in-depth study of the Bible (or Qur'an in my case) what led us to atheism.





P.S. I have some favourite quotes from Qur'an since that's the book I'm an expert in. Want me to share?


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Reply:Well I've read the bible maybe six or seven times cover to cover, in an attempt to see/understand where certain family members were coming from... so yes I've read it.





I try not to quote it when speaking to Christians as it has on occasion resulted in very hostile reactions. I remember one time things went particularly wrong, when I made an appeal for peace in the name of their Lord because family members who are very religious were fighting after my grandmothers funeral -- they immediately turned on me and said, "How dare I say such a thing because I was not a believer..."





I have since tried to avoid using any quotes or references to their beliefs because despite my best efforts I think that I simply do not and probably -cannot- understand the correct cultural vocabulary to use them correctly.





I have no favorite verse, and I find that I enjoy the poetry and the mental challenge of understanding the culture for it's own sake. That said; I also enjoy reading भगवद्गीता or ΠΥΘΑΓΟΡΑΣ, or the תורה, and תלמוד or if I think a want a challenge sometimes I even spend a month or two reading the حديثة or Sayyid Qutb’s فى ظلال القرا - (It's too much for me most years)...
Reply:the most effective way to become an atheist is to study the bible. i was already on the way out, but learning greek was the final nail in the coffin.





i like ecclesiastes 1:18 : "Because in wisdom there is much grief; and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow."





that was precisely my experience of christianity, and christians.
Reply:I've read it cover to cover 4 times, Bible study 3 times a week, was raised in a Christian home, but never believed in it. Actually the more I studied, the less I believed. A lot of atheist come from a similar background.





Favorite verse, also found in most religions and a good way to live.





"You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD." Leviticus 19:18
Reply:I am Christian and I read the Koran and Book of Mormon. I can quote from the Koran.
Reply:I forget the exact chapter and verse, but I'm a big fan of how God sent a lying spirit to Ahab so that he'd start a war he couldn't win. That's a fun story.





Around Christmas, I like to remind people that Jeremiah 10:2-4 explicitly forbids taking pagan rituals as your own (the example it gives is taking a tree and decorating it with silver and gold).





Oh, and I like how Mark 16:17-18 tells us we can distinguish Christians from non-Christians just by giving them poison to drink. Strangely, though, I don't know any Christians who trust Jesus enough to try it out...
Reply:its all pretty much the same judgmental, social controlling, fear conjuring bullshit designed to keep the civil classes in order, the poor-poor and the civil masses under control of the church/leaders. I dont have a favourite verse of something I dont believe in.
Reply:Many atheists are ex-Christians.
Reply:Ecclesiastes


4:9 Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.


4:10 For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.
Reply:Leviticus 13:47-49


When there is mildew on clothing...or leather...if it is greenish or reddish it is a spreading mildew and must be shown to the priest.
Reply:Maybe Matthew 6:5-6. Too bad so many evangelicals comepletely ignore it.
Reply:Jer 20:4 For thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will make thee a terror to thyself, and to all thy friends
Reply:Are you asking us which verse is the most funny? That is indeed a tough one.
Reply:I don't have an answer for you but, I noticed that too. I think there just trying to prove something to themselves. I'm not Christian nor Atheist...so, I do not read the bible. Very interesting question....Good luck
Reply:Not all atheist's were born that way. Back in the stone age, at school, we were forced to do a session a week in religious studies (religious studies always equalled christian studies) I ended up being so disruptive an influence that I was sent to the library to amuse myself.





My favourite verse, I think it might have been from the bible:





"If there is no silicon heaven, where do all the toasters go?"
Reply:Yes i have read the Bible a couple of times. I attended Bible study for a good while and i took 2 semesters of Christian/Muslim/Judaism study in a local Christian college.








My favorite scripture would probably be one of the most famous. John 3:16- I find it to be somewhat funny. God is so full of love that he sent his Son to die a slow horrible death as a sacrifice to himself. Talk about narcissistic.
Reply:I personally don't read the bible "to explore the other side" I read it to find the funny bits.


My favourite is Leviticus and all his unclean and detestable things :-)