Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Philosophy/religion

Join our Philosophy forum to discuss religion and spirituality.

Original poster

How can women accept what is written in the bible?

39 replies

Kayugaduck · 11/08/2009 00:13

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!

OP posts:
cornsillk · 11/08/2009 00:16

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 · 11/08/2009 00:21

Why have you started another thread?

Original poster
Kayugaduck · 11/08/2009 00:24

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.

OP posts:
FAQtothefuture · 11/08/2009 00:25

read my answers on your first thread

Original poster
Kayugaduck · 11/08/2009 00:28

It is contentious so thought it would be better in aibu

OP posts:
FAQtothefuture · 11/08/2009 00:36

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 · 11/08/2009 00:45

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

Original poster
Kayugaduck · 11/08/2009 00:46

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.

OP posts:
cornsillk · 11/08/2009 00:47

It's the director's cut.

FAQtothefuture · 11/08/2009 00:50

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 · 11/08/2009 00:54

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 · 11/08/2009 00:58

What dinosaurs? Is this a joke.

Original poster
Kayugaduck · 11/08/2009 00:59

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

OP posts:
flatcapandpearls · 11/08/2009 01:02

That is OK, enjoy reading.

stitchtime · 11/08/2009 01:03

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

FAQtothefuture · 11/08/2009 01:05

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....

Original poster
Kayugaduck · 11/08/2009 01:15

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.

OP posts:
bloss · 11/08/2009 01:37

Message withdrawn

Original poster
Kayugaduck · 11/08/2009 08:08

Yes and it's very disturbing indeed!

OP posts:
pinkmagic1 · 11/08/2009 08:35

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 · 11/08/2009 15:46

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 · 13/08/2009 16:48

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 · 18/08/2009 20:17

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 · 20/08/2009 17:07

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 · 20/08/2009 17:17

Gret name for someone not interested in debate...

Swipe left for the next trending thread