I own several bibles, a translation of the Nag Hammadi library,
the Koran (Pickthall's translation), one of the Free Daist books (I
forget which one) and a substantial number of commentaries,
concordances, discussions, etc.
Yes, I read them still for other purposes. Self education; general interest, verification of stuff heard elsewhere, etc. Having the
Koran on hand was very handy when I was reading Salman Rushie's
"Satanic Verses", for example. Some of the books I don't read any
more. (Chris Ho-Stuart #150)
Quite a number of them, actually.
> Do you read them for any purpose besides
>the rebuttal of theist claims?
Yes. I find them to be interesting both as windows into their
respective cultures; I also love myths. (Victor Danilchenko #696)
My pile started with the Mormon book, it was given to me in the
late 60's on a tourist trip thru Salt Lake City. I just reread it last year, it's as fun as it ever was.
I have all the major religious texts, several translations of the
bible, and comment aires from theologians of all stripes. Most of
the biblical ones I have not touched in years.
I spent some years teaching Comparative Religions to a Unitarian High school group, my library was mostly aquired earlier but were very
useful for that purpose. I love reading the old myths, I have a half
dozen different paperbacks on mythology of different areas of the
world. (Suzane Watkinson #62)
Yes. Actually, these are my wife's - she's a Unitarian Agnostic.
A copy of the Quran, an old Douay Version Bible (OT & NT) and an copy
of "The Teachings of The Buhdda". I've read the first two, may read
the third one, but probably not. (Aaron I. Spielman #1467)
I have a "scripture shelf" that so far includes the Bible, Koran,
Bhagavad-Gita, Upanishads, Tao Te Ching, Analects of Confucius, Lotus Sutra, Dhammapada, Book of Mormon, Divine Principle (Moonies), Kitab
I-Aqdas (Baha'i), Science and Health (Christian Science), Satanic
Bible, Popol Vuh (Mayan) and Dianetics (which I bought for a quarter
at Goodwill - not a cent went to the Church of $cientology).
I haven't read them all, but I have found some things that I've used
as rebuttals to theist claims - particularly in the buybull and the
Koran. (Chris Nelson #135)
Yeah, I have three versions of the Bible (King James version,
version with the 'thee's and 'thou's, and a children's version), a
Book of Mormon, LaVey's Satanic Bible, numerous books on Wicca and
Asatru, and a book on 'true' Satanism, with the Grimoires and stuff)
>Do you read them for any purpose besides
>the rebuttal of theist claims?
I read them to learn about that culture, for entertainment, out of curiosity, or just to learn about that religion...there's many
reasons. (Drake #1611)
A bible, a koran, and some new-age crap, all collecting dust out
in the garage.
Maybe it's time for a garage sale. ;-) (Erikc #2)
I own an 'American Standard Bible' and a 'Strong's Concordance
of the Bible'. I have had these since the time I was a Charismatic Christian (20 years ago).
I do still use them, occasionally, when arguing with Christians here.
I also have some Zen Buddhist and Taoist texts. (pan #1432)
I have a basic King James bible. I haven't even opened it in
years. (Michelle Martin #1474)
