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Bible Storying

Which part of religion or bible stories convinced you it was nonsense?

When did you convert to non belief or get an epiphany moment?
Which part of the bible makes the least amount of sense to you?
Do you think there are traces of truth that got all twisted into illogical stories like the game whispers?
Were you raised with open minded parents who encouraged you to question?

I was Christian until I walked away about fourteen years ago. What initially drove me away was the fact that my pagan friends were much more accepting and tolerant.

*One of the major issues I have is the view in the New Testament of Christianity. Jesus is portrayed as a loving person who had a meal with two people in the lowest occupations by societal view - a prostitute and a tax collector. He is noted to preach "turn the other cheek" and shows acceptance, but Christians I have seen do not practice this. He is quoted with saying something to the effect of "let he who is without sin cast the first stone." How many Christian follow that? He is said to be perfect, but he argued with his mother (a violation of the Ten Commandments,) and threw a tantrum in a temple (albeit a justified one,) although perhaps not the best way to handle it.

*Another point of contest is the drastic difference between the God portrayed in the Old and New Testaments. I do not even understand its the same religion. The Old Testament has concepts like "an eye for an eye" whereas the New Testament has "turn the other cheek." Uhm, if God is perfect and unchanging, I missed something.

*Cultural aspects. Christianity shows women as original sin (I believe its called.) Why exactly is knowledge evil? We were given the ability to think, why are we not suppose to do so. I believe the phrase "helpmate" is used. The marriage vows are "Love, Honor, Cherish, and Obey," in some instances. And of course, in Catholicism at least, divorce is horrid, regardless of circumstances.

*Catholicism: A couple weeks after the Catholic Church some years ago released that it would forgive pedophile priests, a statement was given that people living in what I believed was called a perpetual state of sin would no longer receive forgiveness through confession. (Mind you I have never been Catholic and may have the wording wrong.) But basically, pedophile priests, who sexually assaulted children, and had been sent by the Church, knowing what they were, to Fairbanks (another story) among other places, would be forgiven, but divorced remarried Catholics and homosexual Catholics would not. How exactly is being a predatory pedophile who, abused his religious authority, less religious offensive then being divorced or homosexual?

*Love thy neighbor unless they are different. This has always got me. People who want to dictate others rights based on Christianity, even in the US where Freedom of Religion is an Amendment to the Constitution. Like a man in California, I think, who wants divorce abolished. (That's up there with laws having to be passed to make it illegal for husbands to rape their wives; obviously it wasn't illegal before those laws were past.) States that still have anti-homosexual laws. (Consensual sodomy is a felony in places and homosexual men are targeted for enforcement.) Laws based on Christianity and double standards. Places where Christian monuments are on state land, but other religions, cannot have them on state land. Issues of rights differences between heterosexual and homosexuals. Marriage, in the very least.

I can rant for hours. I've been known to. Over all, I have major issues with Christianities claim for acceptance, tolerance and loving believes that are not in practice. I have problems with the subjugation of women. I have issues with the superiority complexes that result in minority groups not receiving equal rights.

And one last note. My favorite. The social justification of prostitution. The Bible saying it is better to spill ones seed in a prostitute then on the ground. Yeah.

	The Story: Teen Edition: The Bible as One Continuing Story of God and His People List Price: $14.99 Sale Price: $9.97 Used From: $10.17
	'The Greatest Story Ever Told' is more than just a cliche. God has gone to great lengths to rescue lost and hurting people. That is what The Story for Teens is all about---the story of the Bible, God's great love affair with humanity...

	The Story List Price: $14.99 Sale Price: $8.24 Used From: $7.17
	Now with a new cover and refined storyline, The Story reveals the unfolding, grand narrative of the Scriptures. Using the clear, accessible text of Today?s New International Version, this rendering of

	Reading God's Story: A Chronological Daily Bible List Price: $19.99 Sale Price: $11.99 Used From: $12.83
	Stories are basic to life. Everybody loves a good story. We have been reading, listening to, or watching stories all of our lives, so we intuitively know a lot about how they work. Yet, more and more, Christians are unfamiliar with the stories of the Bible and how the grand narrative of God's Word fits together...

Inside the Bible $17.95 This book is a popular introduction to each of the 73 books of the Bible designed to help the reader grow in the knowledge and love of God's Word. The introduction to each book includes the time frame and author, the theme, a summary of the contents and some comments about the context in which it was written, the theology of the book, an outline, and a prayer taken from the book. Fr. Baker provides quick access to essential information the daily or occasional reader of sacred scripture should find helpful. The book may also be of help to more advanced students who wish to refresh their memory of a particular book of the Bible. By carefully reading Inside the Bible one can have a thumbnail summary of each book of the Bible at his fingertips. "Many Catholics revere the Bible without reading it. They find themselves paralyzed, not knowing where to start reading. Fr. Kenneth Baker comes to the rescue. In brief synopses of the 73 books he guides new readers through the threshold and shows them how they can move forward on their own. Inside the Bible will transform almost-readers into avid readers of the sacred text." "Karl Keating, Author, What Catholics Really Believe Fr. Kenneth Baker, S.J. , is the editor of Homiletic and Pastoral Review and author of the 3-volume series Fundamentals of Catholicism . '

The Bible and the Qur'an (Book on CD) $23.95 Read by Chris Knufke 'A Catholic missionary examines differences between the Bible and the Quran.

Catholic Study Bible $9.95 The 12th volume in this very popular study Bible series based on the Ignatius Bible, the Revised Standard Version edition. Each volume in the series contains numerous Bible study helps and tools that include insights from the Church Fathers, topical essays, word studies and charts, maps, study questions and a cross-reference section.'

Walking the Bible $24.95 This beautifully shot PBS special offers valuable insights into the roots of the Biblical narrative. Both a heart-racing adventure and an uplifting quest, it presents one man's epic journey "by foot, jeep, rowboat and camel"through the stories of the first five books of the Bible. From crossing the Red Sea to climbing Mt. Sinai, to considering the burning bush, Bruce Feiler's inspiring odyssey will bring you back to the world of the major Biblical characters.

Ignatius Bible - New Testament on CD $58.95 Read by Mark Taheny Revised Standard Version"Regarded by many Bible scholars as the most beautiful, accurate and clearest modern translation of the Bible in English.

	Story Thru the Bible: An Interactive Way to Connect with God's Word List Price: $24.99 Sale Price: $16.48 Used From: $326.98
	For centuries, people have passed on their heritage and history through storytelling. In Story Thru the Bible, you will learn an easy hands-on approach to oral teaching that engages the listener while sharing a biblical worldview...

	Reading God's Story: A Chronological Daily Bible List Price: $19.99 Sale Price: $11.99 Used From: $12.83
	Stories are basic to life. Everybody loves a good story. We have been reading, listening to, or watching stories all of our lives, so we intuitively know a lot about how they work. Yet, more and more, Christians are unfamiliar with the stories of the Bible and how the grand narrative of God's Word fits together...