Six Bible Myths Atheists Want You to Believe

In Genesis, the phrase “subdue the earth” means that you can abuse animals.

In Judaism, animal abuse is expressly forbidden. The mitzvot detail how animals are to be treated, even going so far as to demand that working animals, such as oxen or horses, be given a Sabbath each week. The laws of kashrut also acknowledge that killing an animal is a brutal necessity, and require that animals be killed in as humane a manner as possible. To subdue the earth is a commandment to become a good manager and steward of all that God has given. Because humans were made in God’s image, He has delegated the responsibility for management of the earth’s resources to humankind.

Judaism and Christianity see women as second-class citizens

Anyone who has read Proverbs realizes that the “good wife” is far from being a second-class citizen. She manages the home, supervises staff, is a competent businesswoman, and is well-dressed to boot. Women were seen as instrumental to civilization, and as the standard bearers in the home. In short, men needed women or they would end up acting like animals (human nature hasn’t changed in 5000 years, has it?) The assumption that men were perceived as “better” comes from two specific texts. Deuteronomy forbids women from becoming priests or from taking leadership positions, and in the New Testament, Paul seems to disrespect women in when he says, “…it is better to marry than to burn.”

The fact that leadership was assigned to men relates to women being assigned the task of maintaining moral standards. Just as politicians today tend to speak out of both sides of their mouths, leaders throughout history have had to compromise in order to achieve goals. Often, this resulted in ignoring their moral compass temporarily. Women were to avoid being put in this position, so that their collective voice of moral authority and guidance would never be threatened. As to Paul, his letters were written to other itinerant preachers. Their vocation demanded that they travel extensively, meaning that they would never be able to support a wife and family. Paul’s admonition was meant to avoid having any missionary become a deadbeat dad. In that respect, he was being extremely respectful toward women.

“Spare the rod and spoil the child” means that religion condones child abuse

In biblical days, many people were herdsmen who grazed their sheep, goats or cattle in fields far away from their homes. In order to move their herd from the field back toward the stable, the herdsman would walk behind the animals and use a rod, or crook, to guide the lead animal. If the animal became distracted, the herdsman used the rod to steer the cow or sheep gently back toward the path. If the animal became spooked and panicky, the herdsman used the rod as a barrier, keeping the animal from racing off toward danger. After a while, the lead animal learned to stay on the path, and the herdsman’s job evolved into maintaining a watchful eye for dangers beyond the horizon. The process of offering gentle course corrections and guidance works in educating children as well as training animals. To “spare the rod,” therefore, means to neglect teaching and training your child so that he or she can function within the context of society. It has nothing to do with abuse, and everything to do with encouraging self-discipline and self-reliance.

Jesus was poor. His family was homeless. Therefore, it goes against religion to make a lot of money.

The myth that Jesus and His family were homeless is a myth that has been perpetuated by “reverends” who either goad their followers into giving more than a tithe to their “ministry,” or are shills for increasing the size and scope of government welfare programs. Joseph and Mary were on the road going to pay their taxes when Jesus was born. This would indicate that Joseph was a fairly prosperous carpenter, and that he owned enough property to owe taxes to the Roman government. At Jesus’ crucifixion, His robe was the object of envy. The centurions in attendance played dice in order to win ownership of the robe. This isn’t normally done with the clothing of a homeless wanderer. The quote that “it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of the needle than for a rich man to enter heaven” has been interpreted as an indictment of building wealth, but Jesus was addressing the Hebrew version of Paris Hilton at the time. The context of that story depicted a person who was totally under the control of his inherited finances, rather than in control of his life. Of all the topics discussed in both the Old and New Testaments, the topic of money and financial stewardship was one of the most widely covered. Had Jesus been a poor person, He would have had no credibility in this area.

Jesus didn’t judge anyone, and commanded His followers not to judge

Not so fast … Jesus judged a lot of people. He stated that anyone who harmed a child would be better off if they hung a millstone around their neck and jumped into the sea. He raged at the moneylenders in the temple. He made some pretty nasty remarks about the petty bureaucrats, tax collectors, Pharisees and lawyers who plagued His ministry. The quote, “Judge not, lest ye be judged…” has a second part that goes, “…with the same measure that ye have used to pass judgment.” In other words, Jesus believed that it’s fine for you to tell everyone where to get off, but YOU had better get off at the same place! For example, the hypocrisy inherent in the statement, “I personally don’t believe in (fill in the topic – smoking marijuana, abortion, gay marriage), but I won’t impose my views on other people” is exactly what Jesus was talking about – if YOU don’t think a life choice has intrinsic value, you need to communicate that belief and the reasons against the choice to anyone who may be traveling down that path. This isn’t “imposing” anything, other than a different point of view, on anyone. It’s offering a choice between two options, and the freedom to choose was God’s most priceless gift to man.

The Bible was written over 2000 years ago. Times have changed, and so it is not relevant today.

It’s true that the Bible was written over the course of 3000 years, and that “times have changed.” What hasn’t changed, however, is human nature. Think about the stories contained in the Bible – they depict people who are murderers (Moses, Cain), adulterers (David), slackers (Jonah), bratty children (the Prodigal Son) and others who either undergo a dramatic attitude adjustment and redeem themselves or have to face the consequences of their actions. The stories were relevant when they were written and are even more relevant today, when many of these behaviors and life choices are heralded and honored in certain sectors, rather than condemned as actions that create a path of disruption and destruction all around. Does “thou shall not steal” have any relevance in light of the Enron and WorldCom financial scandals? How about “thou shall not murder” to anyone still living in the cities of Baltimore, Detroit or East St. Louis? And that adultery thing, well, ask any married man or woman how he or she feels about it when they find out their spouse has been doing someone on the side. As long as greed, envy, infidelity, bigotry, hate and self-centeredness exists, biblical principles will be relevant.