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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to ask whether you own a Bible?

627 replies

BeanQuisine · 14/07/2026 07:12

Just idle curiosity, really.

We often hear right-wingers insisting "This is a Christian country", whether we're in UK, Oz or the US etc.

So I'm wondering how many of us actually own Bibles, and whether we ever read them. I did read assorted bits of it in my youth, but don't currently own a Bible.

YABU: Whether Mumsnetters own Bibles or not is none of your business.

YANBU: It's a vaguely interesting question.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
7
RafaistheKingofClay · 14/07/2026 10:01

BeanQuisine · 14/07/2026 09:56

Thinking I might get one of these. Barnes & Noble leatherbound edition with over 200 illustrations by Gustave Doré.

You are going to be a bad influence on me. 😂

InQuiresandplaceswheretheysing · 14/07/2026 10:00

@Namechangedatheist I love quoting that to my friend who is a member of the Order of Preachers. (Dominicans) when he’s worrying about how he looks. 🤣🤣

InQuiresandplaceswheretheysing · 14/07/2026 09:59

Several. Have the Universalis app on my phone as well.

ColdAsAWitches · 14/07/2026 09:58

Why in the name of God, did you ask a completely different question in your poll?

KC2007 · 14/07/2026 09:57

Have many and I do read it daily.

Chickadee26 · 14/07/2026 09:57

Theresalittlebitofwitchinyou · 14/07/2026 09:53

No. DH’s, grandmothers giant one (larger than our printer) is still somewhere in the roof space but was last used 30 odd years ago for storing newspaper clippings that his DM saved.

Family historians dream of finding such family bible. My mothers family used them as record books for birth death, who had mumps who and when vacinations were given.

CatrionaBalfour · 14/07/2026 09:57

BeanQuisine · 14/07/2026 09:56

Thinking I might get one of these. Barnes & Noble leatherbound edition with over 200 illustrations by Gustave Doré.

That looks stunning!

Namechangedatheist · 14/07/2026 09:56

One of my favourite Biblical sayings - from my Geneva Bible.
Vanity of vanities saith the Preacher: vanity of vanities, all is vanity.
Says it all really 😃

AIBU to ask whether you own a Bible?
Original poster
BeanQuisine · 14/07/2026 09:56

Thinking I might get one of these. Barnes & Noble leatherbound edition with over 200 illustrations by Gustave Doré.

AIBU to ask whether you own a Bible?
OP posts:
Specialneedsnightmare · 14/07/2026 09:56

Yes i have quite a few.

CatrionaBalfour · 14/07/2026 09:56

By "Christian country" it usually means that the culture and basis of laws are based on Christian tenets eg only married to one person at a time, holidays around Christian events.
Not that everyone owns a Bible.

LuckyHazelFox · 14/07/2026 09:55

You don't have to attend church to be a Christian. There are Christians who study the bible every day to keep up their faith. They are amongst some of the most interesting and philosophical people to engage with.

SummerHasArrivedatLast · 14/07/2026 09:54

I still have the Bible (both Old and New Testaments) I was given at Sunday School when I was a child.

I read from it at my nephew's funeral 5 years ago. I can't remember the last time before that.

Theresalittlebitofwitchinyou · 14/07/2026 09:53

No. DH’s, grandmothers giant one (larger than our printer) is still somewhere in the roof space but was last used 30 odd years ago for storing newspaper clippings that his DM saved.

Chickadee26 · 14/07/2026 09:50

I have my Sunday School bible.
I used to have a beautiful one that I recieved at Christmas, red leather cover and gilt pages, and beautiful illustrations. It got stolen!

BeeCucumber · 14/07/2026 09:49

Many. My Great Grandfather was a preacher and he collected them. I have care of the family bible that records the births, marriages and deaths.

Wtafdidido · 14/07/2026 09:47

We have one’s we were given and only have then because I do not know how to get rid of them as it feels wrong to bin or incinerate them. Any disposal suggestions welcome. Charity shops do not accept them. I was thinking of dropping them off in the foyer of a local church?

MrsOni · 14/07/2026 09:47

Didimum · 14/07/2026 09:35

Never have I said that secularism isn’t a good thing, but the UK is not a secular country, no matter how much you want it to be so. From the House of Lords to education and legislation, religion is still forms a large part of UK governance – you can disagree that it should be so, that doesn’t change that it is.

To be religious is a belief in a diety, and is not analogous to being an athlete, whereby the physicality of practicing athleticism is the definitive description. It’s 2026 – religious practice has significantly evolved, as has the the way CofE operates.

Show quote history

I would argue that simply having faith in a deity does not make you actively religious. Religion is more than that. Simply believing in something does not necessarily inform a person's actions or outlook on life.

And I would also argue that for the most part religious traditions in education, lawmaking etc are little more than lip service for the most part. One half arsed trip to church is all that my kids are exposed to a term in Scottish primary. Swearing on the bible in court is just an outdated tradition.

I think the uk is secular in pretty much every way that impacts most people's day to day lives. You can disagree with that if you want.

pointythings · 14/07/2026 09:45

I have at least two and am a hardcore atheist. It helps to know the Bible when debating with US style evangelicals. We get a fair number of them round here.

DinoLil · 14/07/2026 09:43

A what now?!

whippersnapper55 · 14/07/2026 09:40

I think there's probably one in the house somewhere, I think maybe the kids were given one years ago at school?

paulinespecial · 14/07/2026 09:40

Atheist. Own a bible a Quran and Torah. Yes I’ve read them

sadeyedladyofthelowlands63 · 14/07/2026 09:40

This question made me tot up my Bible total!

I have five: a Gideon New Testament/Psalms I was given at school (over 50 years ago!), an RSV we had to buy for RE at secondary school, a Good News I bought when I went through a brief but intense religious phase as a teenager, a King James I had when doing my English degree and a NSV that belonged to my late partner (also from school days).

I use them only for reference now (usually the King James) and describe myself as an atheist/cultural Christian, depending on the day.

Didimum · 14/07/2026 09:35

MrsOni · 14/07/2026 09:04

The point being that you can label yourself as any religion you like, but if you are not actively religious - going to church, praying etc - then a label is all it is. If you don't follow any aspect of religion then you are not religious.

I could call myself an athlete but if I spent all my time on the sofa then it doesn't mean anything.

In 2026 the uk is secular, and that is a good thing.

Edited
Show quote history

Never have I said that secularism isn’t a good thing, but the UK is not a secular country, no matter how much you want it to be so. From the House of Lords to education and legislation, religion is still forms a large part of UK governance – you can disagree that it should be so, that doesn’t change that it is.

To be religious is a belief in a diety, and is not analogous to being an athlete, whereby the physicality of practicing athleticism is the definitive description. It’s 2026 – religious practice has significantly evolved, as has the the way CofE operates.

DeepLimeBird · 14/07/2026 09:32

I have 2 or 3 bibles, I am a Christian though and attend church and discipleship group every week.