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May 4th, 2012
05:01 PM ET
Bible reading marathon wraps up in WashingtonBy David Ruff, CNN The Bible marathon began with a reading of Genesis 1:1 at 5 p.m. on Sunday, April 27. For 23 years, a small nonprofit group called the International Bible Reading Association has one purpose: "To encourage reading the Bible, both publicly and privately," says the Washington organizer Michael Hall, senior pastor of People's Church in Washington. Volunteers take turns reading through the text 24 hours a day for five days. The group relies on the security of the Capital Hill Police, who are stationed all around the Capitol. Hall says the readers have never had any problems or threats from onlookers or other groups. CNN’s Belief Blog: The faith angles behind the biggest stories Because of permit restrictions, the readers can't use heaters or any protective cover. When rain threatens, the group covers the bibles with plastic sheets and the volunteer readers wear rain jackets. "It's a wonderful celebration of our First Amendment rights. We have people coming from all around the world and they're stunned that we can do this. We’re one of the few countries in the world who has a Bill of Rights," Hall says. Hall says this is a nonpolitical event that draws people from all walks of life who have one thing in common. "We’re not a small group, Christians. We’re all around the world. We’re in every country." Bible readers include children being home schooled, church groups, individuals and even legislators. With Congress out of session, the only lawmaker to participate was Rep. Robert Aderholt, R-Alabama, who read on Tuesday morning. Hall says in years past, around 24 lawmakers usually read. Some read the Bible in their native language, as was the case with readers from the Korean Baptist Church in Washington. The Scriptures are read on a Bible-shaped podium. The organizers set up a table and display 100 Bibles in different languages. “What we’re doing is a great witness for this country and a great witness for God.” The last verse of the Bible, Revelation 22:22 was read in a small ceremony at the West Front of the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday, May 1 at 2 p.m.
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The CNN Belief Blog covers the faith angles of the day's biggest stories, from breaking news to politics to entertainment, fostering a global conversation about the role of religion and belief in readers' lives. It's edited by CNN's Daniel Burke with contributions from Eric Marrapodi and CNN's worldwide news gathering team.  |
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"A nonpolitical event"
Then why do they do it on the steps of the Capitol?
And they rely on the security there. Would be nice if they paid the tax money for that protection too, but that's asking to much from religious organizations.
Thank god religion exists to tell me how to think and live. I hate freedom.
Jesus is a little girl. Allah would destroy him in a fight.
I don't think so. If Jesus was a little girl, Allah would have something else in mind.
Sign me up for next year! I would love to be part of this event by reading aloud from the Holy Bible. We are so privileged to live in a country that not only protects our right to own personal copies of God's Word, but also provides the freedom to read from it in public from the steps of a government building. What a worthy project to exercise both our Faith and our Freedom.
To each his own. I'd use that time to get a few things done around the house... or maybe read a good book 😉
Actually it is Man's Word. You simply have faith in the men.
Sign me up for next year! I would love to be part of this endeavor by reading a portion of the Holy Bible. We are so privileged in this country to own personal copies of God's Word; even more privileged to be able to read it aloud from the steps of a government building.
Well...That's just so special... They are done reading their bible and now they can go back to being racist, anti-women, anti-tax, home schooling their children, ( or home brain-washing) having baby after baby, intolerant of others who don't think like them, and believing the world is flat and has only been around since the birth of Christ... Imagine?... Living in a Theocracy?... Don't vote Republican if you really love your freedom...Their party has been hi-jacked by Evangelicals.
I stopped voting for the Christian Taliban...years and years ago
Yeah, the bible is where you can really find out how stupid and nasty Christianity really is. Typical stuff that e.g. HeavenSent mentions like unfair eternal torture for putting a foot wrong in a short mortal life, that any modern court would consider barbaric. The bible is loaded with instructions from god like this horrid stuff:
Numbers 31:17-18
17 Now kiII all the boys. And kiII every woman who has slept with a man, 18 but save for yourselves every girl who has never slept with a man.
Deuteronomy 13:6 – “If your brother, your mother’s son or your son or daughter, or the wife you cherish, or your friend who is as your own soul entice you secretly, saying, let us go and serve other gods … you shall surely kill him; your hand shall be first against him to put him to death”
And don't forget those brutal animal sacrifices that your Christian god wants you to do, the nasty jerk. Note that the bible is also very clear that you should sacrifice and burn an animal today because the smell makes your sicko Christian sky fairy happy. No, you don't get to use the parts for food. You burn them, a complete waste of the poor animal.
Yes, the bible really says that, everyone. Yes, it's in Leviticus, look it up. Yes, Jesus purportedly said that the OT commands still apply. No exceptions. But even if you think the OT was god's mistaken first go around, you have to ask why a perfect, loving enti-ty would ever put such horrid instructions in there. If you think rationally at all, that is.
And then, if you disagree with my interpretation, ask yourself how it is that your "god" couldn't come up with a better way to communicate than a book that is so readily subject to so many interpretations, and has so many mistakes in it. Pretty pathetic god that you've made for yourself.
So get out your sacrificial knife or your nasty sky creature will torture you eternally. Or just take a closer look at your foolish supersti-tions, understand that they are just silly, and toss them into the dustbin with all the rest of the gods that man has created.
Please, stop referencing that Christian book of nasty, AKA the bible, as a guide to, well, anything.
Ask the questions. Break the chains. Join the movement. Be free of Christianity and other superst-itions.
http://whywontgodhealamputees.com/
"that any modern court would consider barbaric."
But that same court(s) considers it a civil and legal choice the sucking out and tearing unborn babies limb from limb so to not be fully born all so that the soon-to-not-be-mommy will not be bothered, I mean burdened.
@boldgeorge: your disdain for abortion is understandable. But that doesn't make the Jesus myth true or reality.
Post by BoldGeorge is an instance of a non sequitur fallacy.
http://www.fallacyfiles.org/glossary.html
I heard them talking about the bible and could swear they were talking about Dr. Seuss.
@Hitchens. Yes, I truly believe you hear god's voice. Most who are deklsional hear voices in their heads as well. Tell me Hitchens, does your god tell you to be kind to others, not cast the first stone, to be tolerant of others, whether they believe or not? What say you, o mighty bigot?
I think he heard god say to stone your disobediant child.
What is the purpose or point of this annual action? ians would not be so kind and respectful to a group of Muslims reading the entire Q'uran or a group of at that same location on an annual basis.
What is the purpose or point of this annual action? Christians would not be so kind and respectful to a group of Muslims reading the entire Q'uran or a group of (pick your cult of choice) at that same location on an annual basis.
They are doing this to indoctrinate their dying beliefs. Many are falling out of the illusions of all the religions in the world. The religions of the world have all failed mankind. They have not delivered. Only tried their best to control humanity and it has come back to haunt them. So, seeing that the world is losing interest, they want to 'force' it down our throats again. Their days of pimping humanity is coming to an end.
Doesn't Harry Potter readings begin this week? Smae difference
"What we’re doing is a great witness for this country and a great witness for God.”
No, what you're doing is reading is a fictionalized account of history. Very fictionalized. With some parts written to be a Harry Potter equivalent for ti's day.
When it rained at the Reason Rally, it seemed like all the Christians were jumping up and down and talking about god's judgment. Why are they now so silent about the rain during the bible-reading marathon?
MANDARAX
U r right to use "SEEMED" cos a lot of us also duly explained that God is not petty.
Prayer changes things,
No, it doesn't
~Prayer doesn’t not; you are such a LIAR. You have NO proof it changes anything! A great example of prayer proven not to work is the Christians in jail because prayer didn't work and their children died. For example: Susan Grady, who relied on prayer to heal her son. Nine-year-old Aaron Grady died and Susan Grady was arrested.
An article in the Journal of Pediatrics examined the deaths of 172 children from families who relied upon faith healing from 1975 to 1995. They concluded that four out of five ill children, who died under the care of faith healers or being left to prayer only, would most likely have survived if they had received medical care.
The statistical studies from the nineteenth century and the three CCU studies on prayer are quite consistent with the fact that humanity is wasting a huge amount of time on a procedure that simply doesn’t work. Nonetheless, faith in prayer is so pervasive and deeply rooted, you can be sure believers will continue to devise future studies in a desperate effort to confirm their beliefs!.
Prayer works for stopping gas
Atheists don't tell children that god sends them to hell to be tortured forever if they don't follow their beliefs.
"Hall says the readers have never had any problems or threats from onlookers or other groups."
What if that group had been Muslims reading the Qur'an? You can practically guarantee they would have been harrassed and picketed by "Christians". I agree that Christians should be reading the Bible - not in the "Bible study feel-good" manner, but in a critical, analytical manner. I understand that such a reading entails great effort, time, and may have faith-changing or faith-shattering results. However, you MUST be willing to look at your faith critically. I looked at Christianity in that way, and it was the Bible's text that led me to become a Muslim.
HEATHER
I know a lot of Muslims who study the Bible for emotional fulfillment and ethical maturity. You do not have to be Christian to learn it. However the Bible unlike the QURAN is intuitive rather than analytical. This is why it mostly doesnt make sense 2 someone who refuses intuitive thinking.
Nii you are a good Muslim. Proud of you bro!
Keep up the good work and continue to preach that love your neighbors as yourselves.These non-muslim infidels need to hear it brother!
ALI
Thanks n I hope u also take Islam serious and realise u cant pursue the true peace of God which transcends human understanding if u do not love Allah with all your life n ur neighbor (yes even infidels) as yourself. Then Allah's words are fulfilled in u! Allah loves us all! AL SALAAM ALEIKUM!
NII the IDIOT!
It should have lead you to leave religion altogether. Goes to show that some people need their vices. In your case, the big guy in the sky is what you need to get by. Really sad.
@Ali – One doesn't need Islam to know to treat one's neighbours, etc. as oneself. Kind of a simple, basic message, don't you think. I wonder how long Mohammed had to think that one up.
And by the way, I assume Heather is a female.....bro. But then Islam doesn't distinguish between male and female, do they. Ha! Yeah, right.
heather i would rather say that muslims are the ones against everything - also a true christian would have you to make up your own mind - i also dont think you rear GODS WORD analitticaly otherwise you would have come away a christian
One who reads the bible analytically without bias comes away an atheist.
Perhaps the Christian and Muslim leaders should get together and sort this all out. When you have finished, let the rest of us know what the "truth" is.
Nii..not sure if you are correct about DNA..Levels of truth... what do you mean by that? you are now claiming that the bible is not true? What did the bible tell us that was not known before it was written. What ethical behavior does it promote.. it does not appear to like women and allows folks to dislike certain members of the human race. is that emotional maturity?.. and would you also say the koran is also an ethical writing and is it true?
EVOLVED
I meant this. A model seeks to be a close representation of the Truth but is not the Truth.
The Bible docu.ments ethical monotheism's progression from its beginnings in an interpretative way. This is why we Xtians call it a myth. Myth used here does not mean fiction.
And I can hear God's voice.
I agree that everyone should read the bible more. Especially xtians. If they knew what was really in that book they would be leaving in droves.
True
If you have any doubts whether or not GOD is REAL, read GODgoogledMe on Amazon, click on Books! This is a True Testimony and an AWESOME and AMAZING confirmation of US!
JIIMTANKER
You only mean your 1st grader comprehension of it. Can I tell u a secret? Christians wrote most of the anti-Bible literature.
Read and study the Holy Bible everyday as it draws me closer to God.
Read the Bible, it helps you hear God's voice.
I also hear God's voice. Blessed thing.
Few 100% true Reasons why Atheism is TERRIBLE and unhealthy for our children and living things:
† Atheism is a religion that makes you stupid, ignorant & blind.
† Atheism is a disease that needs to be treated.
† Atheism makes you post stupid things (90% of silly comments here on CNN blogs are posted by closet Atheists)
† Atheist are satanic and have gothic lifestyle.
† Atheists causes problem in our religious society.
† Atheists are mentally ill, that's why they have no faith.
† Atheism won't take you to kingdom of heaven and paradise.
† Atheism making you agree with Stalin, Hitler (Denied his faith later), Mao, Pol Pot & other terrible mass murder leaders.
† No traditional family lifestyle, no holidays, no culture, boring and feeling 'outsider'
† Atheists are angry, drug additcted and committ the most crime.
† Atheist try to convert people over internet because they feel "safer" behind closet.
† Atheists do not really exist, they just pretend that they don't believe in God and argue with religious people.
† Atheists have had terrible life experience, bad childhood and not being loved.
† Most Atheists are uneducated... No Atheists could run for presidency.
† Atheism brought upon the French Revolution, one of the most evil events of all of history.
† Atheism cannot explain the origins of the universe, therefore God exists.
† All atheists believe in evolution, which means they don't believe in morality and think we should all act like animals.
† The Bible says atheism is wrong, and the Bible is always right (see: Genesis 1:1, Psalms 14:1, Psalms 19:1, Romans 1:19-20)
† Countries where Atheism is prevalent has the highest Suicide rate & Communist countries = Atheism!
**Only 2-3% of the U.S. are Atheists/Agnostics VS. over 90% who believe in God (80% Christians) in the U.S.**
† † Our Prayers goes to Atheists to be mentally healthy and seek their creator † †
ATHEISTS WILL BURN IN HELLFIRE AND BRIMSTONE WHERE THEY BELONG AND THEY ALL DESERVE IT AND I CAN'T WAIT TO WATCH FROM ABOVE IN HEAVEN WITH A SMILE WHILE I DANCE ON STREETS OF GOLD WHILE ATHEISTS SKIN BOILS OFF AND THEY CRY LIKE BABIES AND THEIR CHILDREN WILL JOIN THEM
Atheism is stupid and is everything wrong with this world and they cud fix themselves if they repented and asked Jesus to forgive their filthy black hearts.
People wonder why I want to walk into a church every Sunday and punch everyone I see.
http://www.adherents.com/Religions_By_Adherents.html
Religion………………………… Adherents
Christianity ……………………..2.1 billion
Islam…………………………… 1.5 billion
Irreligious/agnostic/atheism..... 1.1 billion (and growing)
Hinduism 900 million
Chinese traditional religion 394 million
Buddhism 376 million
Animist religions 300 million
African traditional/diasporic religions 100 million
Sikhism 23 million
Juche 19 million
Spiritism 15 million
Judaism…………………………………….. 14 million
Baha'i 7 million
Jainism 4.2 million
Shinto 4 million
Cao Dai 4 million
Zoroastrianism 2.6 million
Tenrikyo 2 million
Neo-Paganism 1 million
Unitarian Universalism 800,000
Rastafari Movement 600,000
PHIST
So u think u r so important that I'll steal your blogname? I never insult the atheists here even if they go overboard and steal my own blogname which is my name.
What is Religion? I suppose it is up to the individual; however:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XMUqhbOacQU
In the end You Decide.
Atheism is a religion that makes you stupid, ignorant & blind. -LIE
Atheism is a disease that needs to be treated. -LIE
Atheism makes you post stupid things (90% of silly comments here on CNN blogs are posted by closet Atheists) -LIE
Atheist are satanic and have gothic lifestyle. -LIE
Atheists causes problem in our religious society. -LIE
Atheists are mentally ill, that's why they have no faith. -LIE
Atheism won't take you to kingdom of heaven and paradise. -LIE
Atheism making you agree with Stalin, Hitler (Denied his faith later), Mao, Pol Pot & other terrible mass murder leaders. -LIE
No traditional family lifestyle, no holidays, no culture, boring and feeling 'outsider' -LIE
Atheists are angry, drug additcted and committ the most crime. -LIE
Atheist try to convert people over internet because they feel "safer" behind closet. -LIE
Atheists do not really exist, they just pretend that they don't believe in God and argue with religious people. -LIE
Atheists have had terrible life experience, bad childhood and not being loved. -LIE
Most Atheists are uneducated... No Atheists could run for presidency. -LIE
Atheism brought upon the French Revolution, one of the most evil events of all of history. -LIE
Atheism cannot explain the origins of the universe, therefore God exists. -LIE
All atheists believe in evolution, which means they don't believe in morality and think we should all act like animals. -LIE
The Bible says atheism is wrong, and the Bible is always right (see: Genesis 1:1, Psalms 14:1, Psalms 19:1, Romans 1:19-20) -LIE
Countries where Atheism is prevalent has the highest Suicide rate & Communist countries = Atheism! -LIE
It just goes to show that Christians can’t even follow one of the basic Ten Commandments by posting all these lies. What a hypocrite
You said:
"ATHEISTS WILL BURN IN HELLFIRE AND BRIMSTONE WHERE THEY BELONG AND THEY ALL DESERVE IT AND I CAN'T WAIT TO WATCH FROM ABOVE IN HEAVEN WITH A SMILE WHILE I DANCE ON STREETS OF GOLD WHILE ATHEISTS SKIN BOILS OFF AND THEY CRY LIKE BABIES AND THEIR CHILDREN WILL JOIN THEM"
Is this what you believe Jesus wants ?
The church of the Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints has been in league with the Vatican for three decades and has been responsible for the AIDs epidemic that has plagued the world recently. Before the Vatican became involved, Michael Jackson was targeted by the Mormon church and is known to be responsible for his skin color change. People close to Mr. Jackson who were known members of the church were poisoning his food with skin bleaching products that were later responsible for his demise. The Vatican and the Mormon church murdered Freddie Mercury with AIDs. They have been targeting gays and blacks in order to cleanse the human gene pool of all liberalism. They are in bed with the world government illuminati and this is the reason why Bohemian Grove exists. http://www.infowars.com/bg1.html Information has recently been unearthed that proves that the Masonic faith was founded by the Catholics and later incorporated the Mormon church.
There is a wealth of information on the subject here:
http://mormonconspiracy.com/
It is for real. I have seen the footage myself and Mitt Romney is an EVIL man!
Nii, stop hijacking my name, fuckstick.
PHIST(ATHEIST)
I wonder why you think i am responsible for your woes. Let go of your anger. Its just a blog name. I lost my FB page n the person uses my name from time to time to say nasty things. You say nasty things already.
DNA
I wish u cud understand the Bible as I do! I see Atheists having a problem with Ethical Monotheism not because of Science or God but because it refuses synchretization with their other beliefs.
ebonmusings.org
If you're you're stupid enough to be a christian after reading that, then you can't be cured.
PHIST
I wonder why you will insult me and then seek to advise me. It is a friend whose advise is appreciated. I do not need a website to lose my faith. If I hate you I've lost my faith already. I love u as myself.
A. Stop using my name to post stupid bullshit.
B. Your faith is empty. The bible destroys itself. The cults of the world, to include christianity as one of the worst offenders is a myth. I've never met a christian that has read the entire bible. I've never met a christian that doesn't ignore what the bible says in favor of the "innocent" scriptures. This should tell you a great deal about religion as a whole.
PHIST
There is something that I don't understand. I am a Minister do you really think u can convince me to lose my faith. I also do not insult people. Neither do I hijack blognames. If u think u have angered me then understand that I love u as myself and forgive u.
Nii..What beliefs.. alll we say is that until you give us proof of the gods that rule your and other folks lives we claim that they are myth. So far the god of the bible is looking less likely . There may be some alien out there that will turn up and claim god status but as you have no yardstick to know who your god is , there are so many interpretations of him, ..how could you be certain it is the one you currently believe?
Nii.. because you are a minister is no reason that you should continue to give folks advise that may not be real. You should be searching for truth. If i ask you to tell me why the land later to to be called Australia , or Antactica, or Greenland..was never mentioned in the bible...was it because no one including Jesus did not have the knowledge...if he had drawn a map of the world in the sand then that would have given a hint of his divinity would you think? But no, it was written by men who had no knowledge of the world.
EVOLVED
So u claim no beliefs while at the same time claiming 3 things
1. The God of the Bible is unlikely
2. He may be an alien lifeform(ET?)
3. Other people's revelation of the Divine cancel each other out.
Look I don't want to go on n on but do u realise these are not analytical thoughts.
EVOLVED
That there are levels of truth is not lost on you is it. A helix model for DNA is not really really true but is useful for understanding. This is the Bible's purpose. To model the Divine. Also it aims to help us achieve ethical behaviour and emotional maturity. It does well on both counts.
Nii I claim that out side of the fact that atheists do not believe in a god, the other beliefs we have as collective are not the same, which is different for the religions which have many beliefs that have to be followed in order to remain in a group...You have no idea what god looks like so an alien could be just as easily be god as a white haired being coming out of the sky. I do not claim that one persons of the divine cancels the others out.. they are equally unproveable and so are equally mythical...Do you think the muslims have it correct or Christians?
Prayer changes things*
OK, then, make me pray.
Prayer is talking with God. Prayer is freedom. God bless
Prayer is the exact opposite of freedom
I can hear God's wonderful voice.
Prayer is getting t-bagged by God
Prayer changes my shorts when I shart.