How can women accept what is written in the bible?

[Kayugaduck]

I am making a concerted effort to read the bible (my dd has been given a good copy as a primary school leaver's present.) I can't believe what I'm reading. Starting from the beginning, Genesis. Talk of son after son being born, talk of women being punished for ever more by having pain in labour. I mean, come on! There is even the rape of Dinah.

I am horrified and shocked at what I'm reading and deeply disturbed.

Why is there no mention of the dinosaurs? It all sounds so cruel, farfetched and untrue. How are we supposed to believe in this?

I do feel spiritual however and am in awe of Life, nature etc but disagree that man should rule over all other lifeforms. Or that man should rule over his wife!

[cornsillk]

I thought you weren't meant to take it literally - at least that's what I think I was taught at school (probably wasn't listening as usual...)

[cornsillk]

Why have you started another thread?

[Kayugaduck]

Yes but the latest edition makes allowances for that which is why I'm seething! It really is horrendously sexist and cruel. I've not even finished the first 'book' Genesis because I was so disturbed by what I was reading. Even talk of women being sold and women used as slaves to give more sons to the descendants of Noah etc.

[FAQtothefuture]

read my answers on your first thread

[Kayugaduck]

It is contentious so thought it would be better in aibu

[FAQtothefuture]

well seeing as though you're trying to read it from start to finish - you won't have come across Miriam, Deborah, Huldah, Noaidiah, Anna - and many of women of note in the bible. Let alone the compassion that Jesus showed (and therefore taught) towards women.

[flatcapandpearls]

lol at the latest edition though, wasn't aware the author was doing an updated edition.

[Kayugaduck]

It's already got my back up and I didn't want that to happen. I've always just dipped in now and then but because I have no real 'grounding' in what it's all about thought it better to start at the beginning.

[cornsillk]

It's the director's cut.

[FAQtothefuture]

well can I suggest (kindly) that you try and get hold a daily bible notes if you want to know more about it?? There are lots and lots of different ones to choose from. If you pop into your local christian book shop they'll probably have lots of different ones in and you could have a browse to find one in a format/style that you're comfortable with

[flatcapandpearls]

I know when I started my A Level RE that Lion publishing did some guides to help you read the Bible, they are of course from a Christian perspective but that is to be expected.

I would post you mine but they are at work.

[LadyGlencoraPalliser]

What dinosaurs? Is this a joke.

[Kayugaduck]

Thank you. Actually having 2 threads hasn't been a bad thing!

[flatcapandpearls]

That is OK, enjoy reading.

[stitchtime]

the bit in genesis , where the daughters get there father drunk, to get pregnant...... that did it for me. couldnt read after that.

[FAQtothefuture]

you know eye for eye, tooth for tooth........

bit before that is about how is a pregnant woman gets hit in a fight and loses the baby the person responsible has to pay compensation, if she is injured as well - then it's eye for eye, tooth for tooth....

[Kayugaduck]

Yes exactly stitch, incest too! I bet it is a metaphor for the father forcing himself on his daughters but the translators thought, whoops, that's going to sound a bit pornographic, lets make it so the daughters get the blame.

Exactly why I think it should come with a warning label. If I'm disturbed reading that at age 45 glad I didn't read it aged 10 my dd's age! Would have made me vomit. Yes ok did have a sheltered life and would not have known things like that happen. Personally don't believe it. More likely to be an early Fritzl type case.

[bloss]

Message withdrawn

[Kayugaduck]

Yes and it's very disturbing indeed!

[pinkmagic1]

That bit about the daughters getting pregnant by their dad is very disturbing, I agree. But in general we must understand the world was a very different place when the bible and other holy books were written.

[stitchtime]

kaya, when i read that bit, i honestly didnt think it was the dad forcing himself. i honestly felt it was the oter way around, the daughters forcing themselves on the father. it illustrated, in my mind at least, that the family organisation we now take for granted, ie the nuclear family, didnt necessarily exist back then. the women wanted babies, they used theonly available man around. the father daughter bond was not so strong as we now have it, that the drink they gave him was easily able to overcome it.
i personally gave up on it then. however, that doesnt mean that you should. i agree, read it with the bible notes people are suggesting, or join a study circle. there is a lot to be recomended in the bible, (I;m a muslim btw) but reading it as a novel, is not the way to understand it.

if you use plain and simple statistics, the bible and the quran are the all time , all round bestsellers of ALL books throughout history. that wont have happened if there wasnt something to seriously commend them.

[Notquitegrownup]

Can I totally recommend that you read Michelle Guiness "Woman, the full story"? and use it to read the parts of the Bible she describes? She's a Christian feminist and takes a good look at the descriptions of women and their roles in the Bible.

[horseymum]

Maybe you should start with one of the gospels - Matthew, Mark, Luke or john. They were written so tht people could find out about Jesus. None of them are long and wouldn't take that long to read. maybe you could try thinking as you are reading 'Who is this Jesus?' and 'What is my response to him?' do you believe and trust in him or reject him? There is no sitting on the fence. It is great that you have had a go at reading some of the bible but as others have said, sometimes starting at the beginning is not actually the eaiest place.

[questioneverything]

Yes, I can accept it, and whats more, I love it. I think the apostle Paul is wonderful.

I was an ex-feminist - man hater. The guidence in the Bible has brought me the most wonderful freedom to be fulfilled as a woman and a mother.

Praise God.

with respect, not interested in debate.

[TheFallenMadonna]

Gret name for someone not interested in debate...