Read most of the bible and it's stupid, why do so many believe?

okay, I have read most of the bible... and its STUPID! Why do so many people put all their faith in something so farfetched?
just think about it logically...

Most self-described Christians don't read the Bible. Google Christian paradox for some interesting reading. Only 40% of Christians can name more than 4 of the 10 commandments, 3/4's thought the Bible says, God helps those who help themselves when this was actually said by Benjamin Franklin who wasn't even a Christian. An embarrassing 12% though Joan of Arc was Noah's wife. Most believers accept whatever their preacher, minister, priest or televangelist tell them it says.

My theory is that if more people actually read the Bible that there would be fewer Christians and those who remained Christians would have a much more balanced approach to their faith.

ok... I may be stupid and I know it doesnt matter what I think, but you didnt answer the question.

because they do as they are told, they have to have something to fall back on when they screw up in life. And they dont want to think for themselves

Once upon a time, those who believed these books:
bible
Quran
book of Confucius
and many, many other books...

decided that they were right, because they had this book. So they killed converted at sword point (b/c they did this mostly before we had guns could really get to killing a lot of people) those who lived nearby to their point of view.

Fast forward a few hundred or thousand years. If you're born into a certain culture, you tend to follow the belief system of that culture. Eg, if born in Pakistan, you'll probably be a Muslim, and wonder how anybody could believe in the bible.

If you're born in Iowa, or the deep south, or Virginia...you'll probably be Christian

Yep, I'm exagerating for impact, but you get the idea. A little bit of evil (the killing, raping, plundering that every major religion did) created a whole system that we can't undo in short order...death is a scary thing, and at it's root, religion takes aim at the scary specter of death and makes it a hopeful passage into a pleasant realm, instead of a cold place where you feed the worms.

thedudes answer I agree with

Faith is a really controversial topic.
Personally, I don't follow any religion or really believe in anything.
But a few reasons why people follow religion may be
they want something to believe in
they've believed in it in a long time and don't want to change
family
they don't really read or understand the bible, just blindly follow it
they just follow the majority
people see those kind of religions as escapes, like how people confess their sins and stuff? (not really sure about that sin stuff)[like what jaes said]

and probably more reasons,but like I said ~I don't really believe in anything soo I can't really come up with more reasons.

nicksgurl, I mean I see where you are coming from, yea I got angry when I saw this question too, but instead of gettin mad at him, try and help him dont just be like well screw u thats not what a true christian does...and to answer the question...its god man, anything he wants can be done

my whole family is chatholic, so I know ALL about sin (although I've never been to church)

ya I dont get the bible people follow a book a little book runs there lifes theres noo way that thing could run my life I still belive in god but im not a major religous person !

anything god wants can be done huh?

kinda like miley cirus right?

XD nice jello

Catholic eh? Sounds like you've been given a heavy dose of legalism and ritual. As I too was brought up Catholic, it wasn't until I actually read the bible that I got a clear view of who God is, what He wants from me and where I'm going and what to be doing. A lot of scripture is metaphoric, allegory and song but the message is still the same. God loves you. Not what you do, but just you, unconditionally. It's hard to believe in someone you can't see, touch, etc. But, a lot of people get their view of God skewed by what happens to them via other proclaiming Christians who's heart may be in the right place but their methods leave more wounds then healing.

I believe that your Q is not one that has to do with “what people believe.” Some people believe we went to the moon and some don’t. Some believe Elvis is dead and some don’t. Some believe in a fat guy with a red suit and reindeers, some don’t. All these people and their belief in whatever, mean nothing to you. You would say “let people believe in whatever they wont to.” The real question for you is what if you made a mistake in what you believe, about what the bible says. I can tell that you have a firm grasp on the reasons for not believing what the bible says but you also have some questions about some of it that you do believe and that is the real problem for you. How can some of it be right and some of it be wrong? I believe in what the bible says, not because the bible says it for it is only a book printed in a factory in China or India or some place. I believe the bible because I know whom the bible is talking about and it is He, not the bible, that tells me what is right or wrong. I myself have had many questions and still I still have some when I read the bible but God answers all my questions. If you wish I would like to show you who the bible is talking about, please contact me.

Thank you,

ok dont say the bible is stupid and say sh*t about it. have some respect. there is something called faith!

ill just say it, YOURE STUPID for not believein in it...it doesn run my life as some says on here...yes I read it and believe it...however im NOT perfect...its your own choice to believe it...if ya dont SHUTUP bout it, im so tired of people bashin on christians...why cant you people have some respect... im not going to force you to believe in it...but I will say you will be sorry when you stand in front of God and he turns you away and say sorry I never knew you...I believe it b/c its God's word...thats all I need...sounds like you need to go get you some Jesus!!!

oh and instead of reading MOST of it, try to read ALL of it...

ok, I think stupid may be a little rude. your critising a choice someone has made.

I was raised a catholic, am not and havenot been for a long long time. I happen to think that the bible is a wonderful fairy tale, that may once have been built on truth, however, man has distorted it to accomodate for their own means.

if you don't like it, don't read it. but don't insult those people who do...I'm a spirtualist and I believe in something a lot simpler and logical, but that doesn't mean I'm right, but I still respect the choices of others...

The Bible is a tradition, and like all traditions, it's very hard to dislodge.

It's easier to believe than to not. It's easier to turn to something in times of sadness or uncertainty. It's easier to put faith in something for help and have comfort and to not feel useless bc it is god's will. That is why religion is so popular. The bible was written by man and no one can agree entirely therefore the bible contradicts itself constantly.

You are not stupid. And for those who say you are if they believe in god than they aren't doing his will. They, therefore, are hypocrites. Love thy neighbor, is what the bible says, not call people stupid because they don't believe what you do.

Many highly intelligent people agree that the bible was written as a guideline for peole to follow and were told there was this powerful being to be scared of so people would stop killing each other and raping women and children (and so on). Those people also do not believe in a god or gods.

Here is one of my favorite quotes:

Question with boldness even the existence of a God; because, if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason, than that of blind-folded fear.

That my friends is from the intelligent Thomas Jefferson.

There are none so blind as he who will not see - refuses even when presented truth - if you meet me and don't get to know me, you've lost nothing - if you meet Jesus and don't get to know Him, you've lost Everything ! - don't allow your heart to wax cold.

Well, I've read *all* of the Bible multiple times, and I concur with Jello. It is stupid, and obviously so, just as the Qu'ran is stupid, the Vedas are asinine, the Satantic Bible is stupid, and so on.

Books do not deserve respect simply because people idolize them.

So why do people believe these things? Because people are not naturally skeptical and wholeheartedly accept almost anything a perceived authority tells them.