Atheist Appreciation of Biblical Wisdom and Inspiration

No the OP didn't indicate agreement with those listed things. I don't believe that those passages in the Bible which support slavery and child labor are actually taught against in spirit. Those concepts certainly are not there in letter. Edited by NoNukes, : No reason given.Edited by AdminPD, : Warning

Others have mentioned Proverbs as a source of wisdom. But some might dismiss Proverbs as simplistic sound bites.I believe that many of the Old Testament stories contain grains of wisdom for secularists.For example the story of Samson in Judges 13-16 has plenty to teach that isn't about Sampson's relationship to God.I'd also suggest that there is more to Job than just lessons regarding devoutness and faithfulness to God. In particular Job's discussions with Zophar, Eliphaz, and Bildad are just as much about Job's relationships with his peers as they are about his relationship with God.Exodus contains lessons about Moses' successes and failures as a leader that I think would be instructive to secularists even if they don't accept that the miracles described in the Bible happened.I'm sure others can come up with more passages along this vein. Some might point out that these lessons can be found elsewhere, but I think that's besides the point.

Because its a short, interesting story, and I didn't want to ruin it by preaching what I see in it.I think the text speaks for itself. Samson's obvious weaknesses are great allegories for a lot of human failings. That we won't all agree on the lesson is a selling point in my opinion.

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I feel the story of Job also shows us that bad things don't necessarily happen to people because of sin

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Yes. The Bible is good for believers too!Edited by NoNukes, : Spell check

I didn't expect that someone who does not believe in God and believes the Bible is fiction would bother getting upset about God's part in the story. I suppose I was wrong about that. Job isn't for everyone.The point of my recommendation is that Job is a story of the human condition. To get those lessons from Job you only have to accept that Job believes in God even if you don't.

That's correct. Do you know any people like Sampson? Do you know anyone with different gifts than Sampson whose failings gets him/her into trouble.You've pegged the literal meaning and you've gotten to some of the religious meaning, but I think there's more there than that.The literal meaning of 'The Grasshopper and the Ant' is that grasshoppers are lazy but ants are industrious.And aren't the religious meanings besides the point here. I agree that for all of the passages that I've cited, the religious meanings of the scriptures are more important than the secular ones. So what?
Edited by NoNukes, : No reason given.

I think I indicated in general terms where and what I thought the lessons were. Your cites aren't anywhere close. I agree that some portions of Job are strictly religious lessons that won't speak to atheists. Also, if instead of being merely atheistic, you are actively hostile, Job will probably bog you down. It is pretty tough reading.Based on the little I've seen here I would not recommend Job to you. As for the vulgarity, I'm a sailor. I didn't even notice it.

No slights were intended. I certainly was not commenting on your intelligence. You've certainly picked out the thrust of the passages I referred to. But if you desire to leave God out of things to extract the wisdom, I think you have to make a more allegorical interpretation. For example, what principles might one substitute for faith in God and still have essentially the same story?Let's make no mistake here. I believe that recommending Bible verses even for secular purposes serves a proselytizing function. I wouldn't recommend Job to you as a starting point because you are already turned off by it.

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thought that you took the vulgarity as a sign that I was upset and hostile.

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No. What I took as hostility was your complaints about how God was portrayed in Job. In my opinion, that material is irrelevant to the topic. Deleting the f-bomb from your post doesn't change the meaning at all.

Exactly. So why read Samson so literally? It isn't necessarily just about womanizing and stupidity. Really? I think the way out is clear.I don't believe Sampson was a dolt. Sampson had everyone baffled with his obscure riddle but his weakness for exotic women and his misplaced trust rather than his stupidity caused him to give the answer away. I think Sampson gets a bad rap because everyone who reads the story feels that they'd never fall for the same ploys Sampson falls for.Sampson did not escape. But the way out for you is to heed the warning so you don't end up like Sampson.

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I'm asking you and have asked you before what the secular ones are! Good grief it's like pulling teeth. This is a discussion board.

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Okay, I see your point.Edited by NoNukes, : No reason given.

Except that half of the ten make no sense if God is not real. Or pretty much any positive principle that you might refuse to compromise under adversity and pressure from your wife and from your peers. Interesting. In which Bible passages do you find wisdom? I wouldn't be surprised if you can cite better examples than I have. Edited by NoNukes, : No reason given.Edited by NoNukes, : Address second part of Df's post

A bit forced I think