Happy Atheist Forum

So recently I was thinking about how there are entirely too many bibles in the world.  I mean it's the most heavily sold book in the world still, there's one in every motel room, my parents house has like 6 or 7 of them, just sitting around on shelves untouched for years.  I thought it might be a good idea to organize group that would take some of these books and recycle them into more worthwhile reading material,   the "Origin of the Species" would seem entirely appropriate considering the recent debacle over it.  However I have absolutely no idea how to begin or go about the process of setting up something like this.     So if anyone has any ideas, thoughts, or suggestions please feel free to drop something in the comment box.

Welcome to the forum.

There are for sure a lot of bibles. I'm uneasy about destroying them though. Historically, books have been destroyed before. Humanity lost. Despite disagreeing with the bible, I think it must be preserved at all costs. It is vital to our understanding of history.

We don't need quite so many of course, especially since they are now mass produced and identical. The odd "loss" of a Gideons bible from a hotel room can be fun times. The Mormons are at it too. Look for their book .

There is a fine line between removing a bible out of circulation and showing disrespect. I'm not talking about disrespect toward religion. That's impossible. I mean disrespect toward individuals who value things like bibles. My roommates are religious. There is at least one religious item in my living room right now. I'm not going to dispose of it, because I respect my roommate.

In terms of changing society, I don't think recycling bibles will help a lot. I think we need to change the ideology of individual people.

Aaaahahahaha! I thought this thread was called "Recycling babies" and I got excited for another Swiftian satire thread!

 

Please, continue.

Quote from: "curiosityandthecat"Aaaahahahaha! I thought this thread was called "Recycling babies" and I got excited for another Swiftian satire thread!

 roflol

Quote from: "curiosityandthecat"Aaaahahahaha! I thought this thread was called "Recycling babies" and I got excited for another Swiftian satire thread!

 

Please, continue.

Lol there is a way to recycle babies its called stem cell research.

HI!!!
I totally agree with you. But no one is going to give you any copy they have. The bible play vital role in each heart.
In today's world each and every thing is done scientifically. The only thing is left is creation of human being rest all is done scientifically. Science says that there is no god in between their way.

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Book burnings are about removing ideas from the world. The Bible isn't going to be removed from the world in this generation or the many following it. Recycling the book seems like a good idea, though. I've got at least three copies, none of which I use anymore, and I don't want to just give them to a used book store like I would other books, because I only generally give my favorites to used book stores.

Okay, I still keep thinking this says Recycling babies.  

My sister has a friend in college who never turns down a Gideon Bible.  She says they make great rolling paper.  

Quote from: "jrosebud"My sister has a friend in college who never turns down a Gideon Bible.  She says they make great rolling paper.  

John 4:20

"And Moses spoke to the burning bush."

Or some shit like that.

Hismikeness

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It's kinda weird but I still have my Bible that was given to me from a church when I graduated high school. The town I grew up in is very small with a graduating class of around 30, so it wasn't really out of the norm for me to get something like that. I was a non believer back then, not quite Atheist, and thought it was nice for them to do that regardless, each one had our own names on the front...... anyway..... I don't think I would get rid of it even though I don't believe anymore. I would feel it would be like me throwing away a book about Zeus or any other mythical tale.

Quote from: "jrosebud"My sister has a friend in college who never turns down a Gideon Bible.  She says they make great rolling paper.  

It's supposed to be "Reduce Reuse Recycle"

So rolling papers are reuse, better than recycling.
Best option though is to reduce the production of the things.

Quote from: "lookitsaustin"It's kinda weird but I still have my Bible that was given to me from a church when I graduated high school. The town I grew up in is very small with a graduating class of around 30, so it wasn't really out of the norm for me to get something like that. I was a non believer back then, not quite Atheist, and thought it was nice for them to do that regardless, each one had our own names on the front...... anyway..... I don't think I would get rid of it even though I don't believe anymore. I would feel it would be like me throwing away a book about Zeus or any other mythical tale.

I don't know where they are, but if I ever come across my childhood bibles I would keep any of them that held sentimental value (like with your example) I think one or two of mine might be family heirlooms and regardless of my views about the book itself I still appreciate the tradition of passing along an old text (though I would do so the same as I would an old book of myths).

I have recently felt the desire to get rid of a lot of things (aka crap) many of which would have held significance to me if were still religious...I am literally giving about 10 nativity displays of high quality to goodwill because I don't like the idea of throwing stuff int he trash and someone else may find joy in them.  Even then there is one nativity set that my grandmother made which I will keep (if I come across it, haven't found it yet amongst all the crap....not my fault, mom is a hoarder/pack rat).   I am definitely keeping a wooden noah's ark set I wanted so dearly years ago...it brings back memories even if my view of that memory has changed.

In short, it's not bad to want to keep something even if it represents a belief you no longer hold.

I would always keep a copy of the AV (King James) version for the sheer beauty of the language.  Also the Anglican Prayer-Book.  As an atheistic linguist I wouldn't be without my Luther Bible and my Vulgate, for reference in historical and linguistic study, as well as in arguing with christians.

Mind you, you can manage with just the net these days, but I like to have the real books by me.

What to do with the surplus?  Well, in my home we cook on a Rayburn solid-fuel stove which burns books well, though the ash is a nuisance.

I still have my very first KJV, I'm not parting with it either, holds too much sentimental value.  And the only trophy I ever won was for the "study to show thyself approved" lesson where I had to memorize 300 some odd verses and recite them all at once in front of the church.  That I will be keeping.

I have KJV that my grandmother gave me and one of my great-grandmothers left me her rosary. I no longer believe, but I keep those things to remind me of the people who gave them to me.

Quote from: "jrosebud"My sister has a friend in college who never turns down a Gideon Bible.  She says they make great rolling paper.  

I knew I'd learn some cool shit on this forum

Had a bible as a kid. One time- back in the day- decided just to throw it in the trash cause I figured it was useless and I was moving. No use keeping shit that isn't worth keeping.

I have unintentionally burned a bible.  One afternoon not long after I had become an atheist, my brother started burning some trash.  He asked me if I had some.  I told him I had some empty boxes that could be burned.  I had forgotten the bible was in one of them until I was it burning in the fire.

Quote from: "Velma"I had forgotten the bible was in one of them until I was it burning in the fire.

Ah ha! perhaps you miss it more than you think, an insidious book indeed.