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Why?
I’m a pro-Bible atheist. It’s not divinely inspired or a “good” book, but still fascinating, powerful, cruel & sometimes just plain funny [unintentionally funny]. I also think reading the Bible cover to cover is still the best cure for religion there is. There are few blogs that offer a comprehensive atheist perspective on the Bible (other than critiques of say atrocities). Especially from a Jewish atheist perspective (which would include some Jewish interpretations that might be unusual for a western audience used to seeing the Bible as a Christian book). So I thought, why the hell not?
New Testament?
I might get to it at some point, but not yet.
Which translation(s)?
A mongrel combo of JPS (a much older 1917 version is in the public domain), King James and Chabad (mainly ’cause it’s a free online translation with Rashi)
Why are the books out of order?
‘Twould be very boring to just start with Genesis! Plus most know a lot about the first few books. I want to go slightly off the beaten track. Plus it’s easier to pick out small chunks that are interesting rather than do a whole slab of a book (especially something like Psalms).
Do you plan to go through the whole thing?
If I find enough interesting stuff to comment on for the whole thing then yes. If not, not. Probably not, there’s way too much that’s dreary and repetitive.
What’s your methodology?
I will look at the Bible as written by humans not God and do not bother to argue for this [much] in the actual posts. I know very little Classical Hebrew so will rely on a translation for 95% of everything despite its limitations. I know a few Jewish commentaries and interpretations which I’ll throw in whenever I feel like it. Usually I’ll go by the plain meaning (including my very-non-expert interpretation) unless it’s something esoteric.
Are there any other similar projects?
KafirGirl is doing a similar thing with the Koran. David Plotz from Slate blogged the whole Bible a few years ago. A very good read but it’s from more of an “uninformed liberal Jew” perspective as opposed to an “uninformed atheist Jew”.
You’re wrong/an idiot/going to hell
Tell me all about it. Comment on a post or by email. Conversion not guaranteed.
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