Open Bible Study / Spiritual and Religious Reading Group

On a walk today an idea came to me that maybe we could start an open Bible study open to anyone on the forum. I would ask mods to not move this to the Christian group since I want to be open to anyone inducing non-Christians.

Was thinking we could have it here or on WhatsApp, Viber, Telegram, Kik or any other messenger app. After we've finished reading the Bible maybe we could go on reading other spiritual or religious books like the Quran, Shreemad, Tripitakas, The Gnostic Gospels, Apocrypha, New Testament apocrypha, The Young Atheist's Handbook, God Collar, Evolving in Monkey Town, The Muslim Next Door, The Book of joy, Religion for Atheists.

Of course the books I mentioned are just suggestions, if there's an interest we could decide between ourselves what books to read next. I think the Bible would be good a starting point since it's a book with many different genres, covering many different issues and also it's a book that many people think they know about yet haven't actually read it (including Christians). I think even the most sceptical sceptic will find something interesting and inspiring within it's pages.

The purpose of this reading group won't be to convert any non-believers, it will be a place of discovery and a place where we'll have respectful debate on the issues brought up by the books we read. It isn't an accountability group but maybe being involved might help on your journey whether you're a fapstronaut or a SO one way or another.

I will tag some people who's post have given me some indication that you'll be interested in this. If you are tagged don't feel like you have to be involved in this and if you aren't tagged but are interested don't feel you're not invited to take part because this is open to anyone everyone in these forums.

@aarondf @Hanging by a thread @Lazarus Shuttlesworth @Buzz Lightyear @CassTeaElle @Star Lord @Panda20 @Kenzi @daveplaysguitar90 @HappyDaysAreHereAgain @Arkangel Colon @Noland @The Unfadeable @Survivalist @Runtilmylegsdropoff @CrushPornBeneathYourFeet @2525 @Jen@8675309 @wethebest

 

Not sure if I'm really interested necessarily, but that sounds pretty cool. Good luck with it!

 

Sure I'll join, it seems like a good idea.

 

That's cool and everything, but I'm a Thiest and I believe the Bible has been screwed with so much that it's hard to trust. I do believe in a creator, but I'd have more faith in the hieroglyphics than the Bible, since the hieroglyphics have been around longer than the Bible. The hieroglyphics are from our creator, and the Bible is man-made. But I would love to make certain book suggestions, if that's ok. I also think that keeping the book discussion in this thread would be a good idea.

 

This sounds great. Count me in.

 

Thanks for the responses and thanks to the mod who created the Interreligious Discussion group. It sounds like it'll be better to have it here in the Interreligious Discussion forum than a messaging app.

What book would people want to read first? I'm was thinking we should look at the life and writings of Solomon. So that would mean 1 Kings 1-11, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs and maybe we could even read the Wisdom of Solomon (I know we said the we'd read the Bible first but WOS has some sort of connection to Solomon). Anyway what does everyone think? Let me know.

BTW if you can't reply to this thread you'll probably have to join the Interreligious Discussion.

 

Just join that.

 

That'll be awesome if you could. Also you can join the reading group after we've finished reading the Bible if you like.

 

Yeah, I was listening to a podcast and they were talking about Ecclesiastes.

 

Yeah, I guess if you feel you'll be triggered you can pull out when we start. I did actually start a thread about it in the off-topic section and no one complained about being triggered.

 

I actually purposely read Song of Solomon back when I was first trying to beat my PMO addiction. I think it's a great one to read, because it shows you what good sexuality is supposed to look like. It's sexual, but it's pure. It's not something we should be afraid of reading. Not to say that everyone should read it even if they feel like they shouldn't, because it might lead people to other, impure forms of sexuality, but I think it's a really good book for people like us to read.