Reply #6: On the other hand [View All]

[Jcrowley]

The violent, brutal, and heartless acts approved in the Bible should completely discredit it as a moral guide.  Many instances of cruelty can be found in the book to prove the point.

No wonder Thomas Paine said: "To read the Bible without horror, we must undo everything that is tender, sympathizing and benevolent in the heart of man."

Throughout history, innumerable Bible-believers have followed his example and teachings by committing horrendous violence - and felt good about themselves for doing so.

Such acts led Sir James Paget to say in the nineteenth century: "I know of no book which has been a source of brutality and sadistic conduct, both public and private, that can compare with the Bible." And the Enlightenment philosopher Montesquieu observed: "No kingdom has ever suffered as many civil wars as the kingdom of Christ."