Don't Read the Bible!
According to a ChristianPost.com story, the Bible is under attack in Hong Kong for its violent and sexual content. If those complaining have their way, the Bible would be classified as “indecent.” It would become illegal for people under 18 to buy it, and Bibles would have to be wrapped with a warning notice.
That’s why we here at PlanetWisdom have a policy of encouraging teens to avoid reading the Bible altogether. Instead, we suggest you only seek out biblical truth from trained pastoral professionals -- and whatever you can pick up from the new breed of Christian-flavored movies. Whatever you do, you really should avoid any kind of systematic Bible reading plan on your own. It’s just too much temptation.
According to the story:
“The thrust of the complaints was that the Bible was obscene, that different parts of the Bible were offensive to readers.” TELA [Hong Kong’s Television and Entertainment Licensing Authority] refused to give details of the complaints but local media say they refer to acts of violence, rape, incest and cannibalism.The report seems to suggest the group is trying to cause trouble for political reasons, but honestly they have a point. The Old Testament, especially, is full of graphic descriptions of violence and some startling sexual scenes. Depending on one’s ability to use his or her imagination, whole sections of the book should be rated NC-17.
That’s why we here at PlanetWisdom have a policy of encouraging teens to avoid reading the Bible altogether. Instead, we suggest you only seek out biblical truth from trained pastoral professionals -- and whatever you can pick up from the new breed of Christian-flavored movies. Whatever you do, you really should avoid any kind of systematic Bible reading plan on your own. It’s just too much temptation.
According to the story:
The complaints are thought to have sparked from an anonymous website . . . which said the Bible “made one tremble” from its sexual and violent content.You know, maybe if you just read it with your parents or a guardian or something, you could check out some of the tamer stuff. But stay away from the Bible when you’re alone or just with other kids. We’re only saying this for your own good. Nobody needs those ideas in his head.
12 Comments:
Christopher!
At first "blush" I didn't get it. Only when I rushed to find my Bible to brush up on the Old Testament did it hit me what you were doing.
Great blog.
By the way, does 4:30 am really exist. I have never seen it.
Thanks for the comment, Ken. I'm guessing the time code is set to Pacific Time, because I have only experienced 4:30 a.m. on a few occasions and against my will. It's an unpleasan place. 6:30 is plenty early to be a-bloggin', as it is.
I have to say, I strongly disagree with this. The bible does have offensive content yes, but it's our instruction book for life: it teaches us what not to do and vice versa. There's lessons to be learned from the bible. And reading the bible helps draw one closer to God and it teaches you more about his character.
Yeah, I'm really hoping you were being really sarcastic with this blog. It's ridiculous to tell us not to read our Bibles. God has revealed himself to us through his Word, the Bible! How can an organization call itself Christian while discouraging teens from reading the Bible? Because if we don't read the Bible, how do we know if "pastoral professionals" are really telling us the Biblical truth if we haven't read the Bible? I love Planet Wisdom and have attended the conferences the past several years, plus I check the website regularly. I was shocked to read this blog and I'm really hoping it's all satire(especially since two years ago you did a whole conference on Ecclesiastes... a book from *gasp* the Bible). But my faith in y'all has been shaken. Can I please get some reassurance that this blog was sarcasm?
Hello? Anybody home?
So about this blog..
Id have to say I disagree. We learn about History so we will hopefully LEARN from the mistakes of others and not make them because we see the outcome of them from others. And in the bible we see many strong christians and many others simply, make a mess of things. If we dont learn about these things and realize that the outcome of turning away from God- such as Sodom and Gomorrah- the outcome eventually is being destroyed. Of course, if you come across something such as, someone killing someone else and you wonder, how do they get away with murder? Ask! But you shouldnt tell someone NOT to read the bible. God put it in there for everyone. He didnt make a teenage bible and an adult bible. He made ONE HOLY BIBLE. His Word, what He wanted us to know. All for a reason- and he tells US to read It. Not to wait til were over the age of 18. Because by the time were 18 we may, just maybe make those same mistakes, not knowing we could've learned from someone elses mistakes.
Your policy of not reading the Bible clearly comes out in the other stuff written on this site. The whole "Life From A Biblical View" tag line doesn't make sense though. ;)
When I read the title of this blog I thought its purpose might be to encourage new believers to only study the Bible with another more mature Christian who could help them understand.
I am absolutely disgusted by the true intentions of this blog! In 2 Timothy 3:16 The Bible says “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” It is commanded for us to gather together with other believers and for us to be taught from God’s word, but how are we to know if we are being taught the truth if we ourselves do not know God’s word? It is very dangerous to rely only on the teaching of others, because even the most honorable, godly men are wrong sometimes. We are blessed to live on a country where we have access to the Bible, where our lives are not in danger every time we open a Bible.
The pastor of my church as well as the pastors of the churches we are affiliated with encourage us to read over the passages they preach on. On a regular basis my pastor says “Don’t just take my word for it, read it for your self and see what God’s word says.”
Thanks for all the great comments. You officially have my permission to read your Bibles. Check out today's (5/24) post for a full explanation.
really good blog man. thats so stupid that they are trying to do this kind of stuff. but again, good post.
--wawadee--janet--
"It would become illegal for people under 18 to buy it"
the point of the scrutiny
"different parts of the Bible were offensive to readers."
the bible is a mirror, like any book, you see what you want, just like harry potter. one man complaint about HP was that dobby was a satanic ghost, he got this from a book of occults definition of "elf".[but has no problem buying keebler elf cookies]
"TELA [Hong Kong’s version of the mafiAA?] refused to give details of the complaints but local media say they refer to acts of violence, rape, incest and cannibalism."
now THAT is a valid complaint, however they are old-testament only so the jewish bible too? it doesnt mention that, so i assume its an attack on christianity.
"The Old Testament, especially, is full of graphic descriptions of violence and some startling sexual scenes"
so get a censored version out there! "the man then raped her" could be rewritten "the man then did of such that cant be described here" or "the man forced her to kiss and hug him"
"[we encourage you to not read the bible but seek advice from a trained professional]"
now, this is vulgar and not appropriate but f*** you!
a trained professional will not 80, not 99, not 26 but 100 percent of the time be biased in one way or another. you must decide things for yourself.
"pastoral professionals -- and whatever you can pick up from the new breed of Christian-flavored movies."
which in order to be a movie have to be biased to be more incredible and WOW!
"Whatever you do, you really should avoid any kind of systematic Bible reading plan on your own. It’s just too much temptation."
is that not what every youth pastor ENCOURAGES you to do? its hard enough to convince people to read something without such naysayers
"But stay away from the Bible when you’re alone or just with other kids"
im ALWAYS alone, like other such "kids" this makes zero sense, with a single parent mom, and a brother, i dont get much "family time" heck should i just give up chrisitanity? of course not but the path i would be on if i listened to this blog would SURELY send me to that decision.
I strongly disagree. The bible is God's word on earth...it is our weapon against the devil. Not reading the Bible is like dropping your sword in the middle of battle. The bible is filled with hope, love, and truth. In the old testament, it is graphic but that is showing the brutal nature of that time. Not reading the Bible would be suggesting that you dont' trust God's word.
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