Did God really inspire the Bible?
Over the last twenty years or so, I have actively pursued the truth, primarily through the Bible’s two Testaments and various Christian resources, while also exploring non-Christian literature. This journey has led me to decide to leave the Christian faith and all religion entirely. I believe that if a loving God exists, He might be a spirit, a universal force, or even nature itself — unrelated to the Bible and not requiring worship. This God lets us navigate life without fear of eternal damnation, encouraging us instead to strive for righteousness, a principle valued by most civilizations. At the very least, God would imprint His laws on the minds of his creation to provide understanding and on the hearts to create a desire for obedience,
If the Bible were truly divinely inspired and authorized by God, there would be no need for what I call the “apologetics industry” to defend it; suggesting otherwise implies a lack of clarity from a supreme being. Thinkers like Giordano Bruno, Baruch Spinoza, Thomas Paine, Robert Ingersoll, and René Descartes align with this perspective. Descartes believed that anything open to doubt should be dismissed.
The so-called Word of God contains numerous inconsistencies, brutalities, and moral dilemmas that a rational mind should question regarding its origin. While a perfect God must require us to lead righteous lives, following the Bible’s examples (in my opinion) could lead to serious consequences. A powerful example of such consequences is the open letter addressed to Dr. Laura Schlessinger, which critiques her views based on her interpretation of the Old Testament. This letter effectively challenges the idea that the Bible can be taken literally or serves as a reliable foundation for morality and ethics.
I found the following at: https://americablog.blogspot.com/2010/08/trip-down-memory-lane-with-dr-laura.html
Dear Dr. Laura,
Thank you for doing so much to educate people regarding God’s Law. I have learned a great deal from your show and try to share that knowledge with as many people as possible. When someone tries to defend the homosexual lifestyle, for example, I remind him that Leviticus 18:22 clearly states it to be an abomination — end of debate. However, I would appreciate your advice on specific laws and how to follow them effectively.
When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a pleasing odor for the Lord (Lev 1:9). The problem is my neighbor. He claims the odor is not pleasant to him. Should I smite him?
I want to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7. In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price for her?
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I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is in her period of menstrual uncleanliness (Leviticus 15:19–24). The problem is, how do I tell? I have tried asking, but most women take offense. Can you advise the best way to bring up that subject?
Lev 25:44 states that I may indeed possess slaves, both male and female, provided they are purchased from neighboring nations. A friend of mine claims that this applies to Mexicans but not Canadians. Can you clarify? Why can’t I own Canadians?
I have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2 clearly states that he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself?
A friend of mine feels that even though eating shellfish is an abomination (Lev 11:10), it is a lesser abomination than homosexuality. I disagree. Can you settle this?
Leviticus 21:20 states that I may not approach the altar of God if I have a defect in my sight. I have to admit that I wear reading glasses. Does my vision have to be 20/20, or is there some leeway allowed?
Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including the hair around their temples, even though Leviticus 19:27 forbids this. 19:27 forbids this. How should they die?
I know from Leviticus 11:6–8 that touching the skin of a dead pig makes me unclean, but may I still play football if I wear gloves?
My uncle has a farm. He violates Leviticus 19:19 by planting two different crops in the same field, and his wife does too by wearing garments made of two different kinds of thread (cotton/polyester blend). He also curses and blasphemes a lot. Is it necessary that we go to all the trouble of getting the whole town together to stone them (Leviticus 24:10–16)? Could we stone them to death at a private family affair, as we do with people who sleep with their in-laws (Lev 20:14)?
You have studied these topics extensively, so I am confident you can help. Thank you again for reminding us that God’s word is eternal and unchanging.
Your devoted disciple and adoring fan, Franc Mosbaugh
As corroboration that God never inspired the Bible, and I realize I am quoting the Bible, recall what God told Adam and Eve. He forbade them from eating from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. What else can such a tree represent but a written instruction book regarding good and evil, which we call the Bible? This suggests to me that we are not to follow any printed word, but to follow our conscience and heart, trusting that God is always guiding us. Why would an all-knowing God trust a human not to edit His decrees, or that languages and stone-age directives would change over the years? Ask yourself, why are slavery, misogyny and child abuse, to name but a few, no longer condoned? Is there a new Bible telling us so? Food for thought.
