Worst book you've ever read

SATCHMO · 06-14-2009, 12:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jackhammer

I have read it more than once and I see it as a piece of propoganda. Very powerful and well written in it's own way but it's only that to me personally. I didn't choose it to be confrontational but it is the most readily available book in most schools and any counterpoints to it are not encouraged which is a shame.

It's an anthology more than anything, and its volumes were selected and voted on by bureaucratic council with the criteria of its contents adhering to the also bureaucratically established and voted on, christian doctrine.. I don't question the authority of the entire work as a whole, but feel that each individual "book" has to be judged by its own merit and purpose. If we included every relevant scriptural text from that cultural time period the bible would be easlily 5-10x as long as it is now

NSW · 06-14-2009, 06:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jackhammer

I have read it more than once and I see it as a piece of propoganda. Very powerful and well written in it's own way but it's only that to me personally. I didn't choose it to be confrontational but it is the most readily available book in most schools and any counterpoints to it are not encouraged which is a shame.

I understand where you're coming from and what you're saying. Having been raised as a Christian I was of course to taught to appreciate the Bible as a tool to learn how to live in such a way that pleases God and create a "personal" relationship with him. As of a few years ago I've begun to question the very existence of God, and I can understand why people view the Bible as propaganda. But even now, I read and appreciate the parts of it that taught me how to be a better person, even if I'm not putting that into practice for the same reasons. But...perhaps that should be discussed in the Christianity thread eh? I do believe if you read the individual books as Satchmo suggested, there is some very well written material that at times contains vivid imagery and heartfelt poetry. So for those reasons I wouldn't be able to agree with it being the "worst" book.

Astronomer · 06-14-2009, 06:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nonsubmissivewife

I understand where you're coming from and what you're saying. Having been raised as a Christian I was of course to taught to appreciate the Bible as a tool to learn how to live in such a way that pleases God and create a "personal" relationship with him. As of a few years ago I've begun to question the very existence of God, and I can understand why people view the Bible as propaganda. But even now, I read and appreciate the parts of it that taught me how to be a better person, even if I'm not putting that into practice for the same reasons. But...perhaps that should be discussed in the Christianity thread eh? I do believe if you read the individual books as Satchmo suggested, there is some very well written material that at times contains vivid imagery and heartfelt poetry. So for those reasons I wouldn't be able to agree with it being the "worst" book.

I just want to butt in and say I'm with nonsubmissivewife on this one. I am not a religious person at all and don't know if I believe in any existence of a god, but the Bible contains some very moving passages and stories with strong messages about the morals and values of human beings. I don't want to argue about whether it is fact or fiction, and I can understand how people may see it as propaganda, but I don't consider myself a Christian in any way at all and I find some value in it - even though I disagree with many things in it. Also most literature and film produced in the following centuries has been built around stories originally from the Bible.

jackhammer · 06-14-2009, 06:29 AM

I agree that it is indeed vivid and it's prose is not in question but I disagree with it being forced upon you as a subject at school and that an opposing view on a particular passage was discouraged which is something I cannot agree with. Religion should always be about choice and it is something that I choose not to follow. My parents were not religious whatsoever yet I was brought up to be a good person without them using the bible for guidance.

I will never question someones religious beliefs at all but the bible was as much a historical writing and all historical books have been called into question but the bible seems untouchable for many many people including annoying self righteous school teachers who would then turn around and whack someone across the kuckles for not paying attention. Hhmm.

NSW · 06-14-2009, 06:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shiseido red

I am not a religious person at all and don't know if I believe in any existence of a god, but the Bible contains some very moving passages and stories with strong messages about the morals and values of human beings.

And this is what makes it a good book, more so if people focus on taking these values to heart instead of enforcing doctrine and biblical law in a militant way...which brings me to:

Quote:

Originally Posted by jackhammer

I agree that it is indeed vivid and it's prose is not in question but I disagree with it being forced upon you as a subject at school and that an opposing view on a particular passage was discouraged which is something I cannot agree with. Religion should always be about choice and it is something that I choose not to follow. My parents were not religious whatsoever yet I was brought up to be a good person without them using the bible for guidance.

I will never question someones religious beliefs at all but the bible was as much a historical writing and all historical books have been called into question but the bible seems untouchable for many many people including annoying self righteous school teachers who would then turn around and whack someone across the kuckles for not paying attention. Hhmm.

You are absolutely correct. It is forced on people at times, which really is a stupid thing to do. Anything you force on someone, especially children, is usually going to be rebelled against and thereby negates the point of bible teaching if you ask me. And I would like to make clear that I'm in no way suggesting all people must read the Bible and follows it's principles to be good people. For some it has been beneficial, but as you say, many have been raised without the influence of the Bible or any religious teachings and have become outstanding good people as well.

RVCA · 08-20-2010, 10:12 PM

The Scarlet Letter, hands down.

~~Sansa Stark~~ · 08-20-2010, 10:16 PM

dude, the Scarlet Letter was AWESOME

RVCA · 08-20-2010, 10:26 PM

Yeah, so was Great Expectations. Except, it was actually really terrible

~~TumorAttitude~~ · 08-20-2010, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RVCA

Yeah, so was Great Expectations. Except, it was actually really terrible

That book was ass. Pip only liked Estella because she was hot too.........at least she had a personality though, right?

~~Sansa Stark~~ · 08-20-2010, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RVCA

Yeah, so was Great Expectations. Except, it was actually really terrible

I never read Great Expectations, I remember everyone in the Scarlet Letter being really intense about EVERYTHING and it was AWESOME

06-14-2009, 06:29 AM	#74 (permalink)
jackhammer Ba and Be. Join Date: May 2007 Location: This Is England Posts: 17,331	I agree that it is indeed vivid and it's prose is not in question but I disagree with it being forced upon you as a subject at school and that an opposing view on a particular passage was discouraged which is something I cannot agree with. Religion should always be about choice and it is something that I choose not to follow. My parents were not religious whatsoever yet I was brought up to be a good person without them using the bible for guidance. I will never question someones religious beliefs at all but the bible was as much a historical writing and all historical books have been called into question but the bible seems untouchable for many many people including annoying self righteous school teachers who would then turn around and whack someone across the kuckles for not paying attention. Hhmm. __________________ It be my music and film collection. “A cynic by experience, a romantic by inclination and now a hero by necessity.”

08-20-2010, 10:12 PM	#76 (permalink)
RVCA （￣ー￣） Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 3,270	The Scarlet Letter, hands down.

08-20-2010, 10:16 PM	#77 (permalink)
~~Sansa Stark~~ Account Disabled Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: The Eyrie, Vale of Arryn, Westeros Posts: 3,234	dude, the Scarlet Letter was AWESOME

08-20-2010, 10:26 PM	#78 (permalink)
RVCA （￣ー￣） Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 3,270	Yeah, so was Great Expectations. Except, it was actually really terrible