As a Christian Can I Read The Book “Christianity Opium Or Truth?” By David Gooding?
The real question here should be:
Are you a Christian or a man/woman of the Christian Religion who is saying can I read this book? Who cares, is the first thought that comes to mind?
However, if you are of the latter then reading this book will not make the slightest bit of difference, for it will be a case of the blind leading the blind. To put this another way, it will be a scenario of you filling your head with more nonsense and just adding to the nonsense already there!
If on the other hand you are a Christian you will either read it for a good laugh, or, do as I do, and avoid all intellectual clap trap like the plague. Clap trap written by people who are out of their depth when it comes to The Truth i.e. things Spiritual for they are Spiritually dead.
You can read whatever you want. It may broaden your thoughts if you approach with an open mind.
To gain information about any subject by reading different thoughts & opinions is always a good thing.
If you approach with an open mind & the attitude that most things on these subjects are only a persons opinion. Everybody in the world is entitled to an opinion. If you find that you do not agree with the opinion, that does not make the person wrong, it simply means they have a different opinion.
after reading a lot of information, you will then be able to form your own INFORMED opinion.
You can read anything. God doesn't keep score. But if it takes you a week to read this book, then God would smile if you spent the same amount of time reading the Bible.
By all means you should read such literature. There is absolutely no reason for a human being to refuse to partake of a possible wealth of knowledge or eye-opening perspective. If you want a truly rounded view of the world you shouldn't stop with this book either. Read about Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, secular humanism, atheism, paganism, and all the other philosophies out there. You may be surprised what you learn by expanding your library, especially if that library consists only of books that support your views.
I honestly don't know because I haven't read it. However, it doesn't sound like filth or complete nonsense, in which case why not?
Indeed, it sounds to me like an allusion to Karl Max's famous aphorism that 'religion is the opium (or opiate) of the people'. And curiously enough, when he said it, Marx was not being altogether negative because he recognised the comfort that much Christian teaching can offer to the suffering poor.
As a rule of thumb, then, read whatever isn't obscene or ridiculous blasphemy because even material critical of Christianity can be informative and will better enable you to answer critics from an informed perspective. It's certainly God's viewpoint if you consider the Bible's advice in Proverbs 18:13,
'He that answers a matter before he hears it, it is folly and shame unto him.'
If you're ready to admit your idea of religion is completely wrong then you may read it.
I prefer not to read it, if only you are a matured christian who understand the biblical principle of the word of God then go ahead and read it, but remember the book could be raped up into seductiveness so be careful when reading such books.
The best answer can be found in 1 Corth. 10:1-33
here is a devotion I wrote from the chapter
LIVING THE LIFE IN FRONT OF OTHERS
Even as I try to please everybody in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved. 1 Corth. 10:33
One of the difficulties of following God’s word is that sometimes some of our brethren criticize us for doing this or that. We have heard, “A Christian wouldn’t do that, say that, go there”? Those folks make you think breathing is wrong.
Chapter 10 of 1 Corinthians covers a lot of things concerning how a person is to behave in the company of Gentiles and Jews. The directions are pretty clear; “don’t participate” if whatever others are doing is done with any religious recognition of false gods or idolatry. If there is no mention of false gods or idols, “enjoy and be friends”.
What we read could be paraphrased: Be all things to all people and befriend all that you might influence them for Jesus. But, do not participate in any religious activity that does not honor God and lift of Jesus.
Jesus prayed, “not to take them out of the world but keep them from the evil one”. We are in the world but not of the world for we have been born again and have a new nature. Yes, many things are lawful but we must remember that others are watching. Hear again the verse: “I am not seeking my own good but the good of the many so that they may be saved.”
It is said that wisdom comes with age and experience. Going back to childhood – be careful little feet where you go, be careful little ears what you hear. The older we get IN CHRIST the more wisdom we gain on how to live in this world and be a positive influence on others for Christ.
Let us not grow weary in well doing nor live fearfully of making a mistake. God can, does and will use you for His glory even when we don’t understand the “how”. Remember – when in doubt – Pray. God will lead the way and equip you for every eventuality.
Many people love to outsource. There are few books of any value. Most are people opinions which in the religion of tolerance leads down a road built by lies and ends up in vanity.
The bible has everything a christian needs and whatever needs to be taught the spirit will fill in.
Reading many books and getting other opinions is ridiculous when the scriptures are the ultimate truth, the only truth and are right there in front of you.
Kjv of course.
by BlissfulWriter 13 years ago
Forgot that you have already read that book?Have you ever gotten a book and then after reading three chapters, you think, "Hey, I've read this book before."?Informal Poll:a) Happens all the time.b) Nope, neverc) I don't really read books now-a-days.
by bdn9385 8 years ago
If Christianity is indeed the way, the truth and the life and presumably, a universal fact, then why for almost millions of years now do Christians still unable to convert all the people in the world to embrace this supposedly universal fact? On the contrary, it even stirred up more resistance...
by cakedew 13 years ago
Why not god telling which book to follow when human kind reach age of let's say 18? Is not that will solve all the major conflict going on in the world now?
by Kebennett1 9 years ago
Why is it that our children can't read a Bible in school, but they can in prison?Prison may just be a little too late!!!
by Grace-Wolf-30 11 years ago
Have you read The Secret?Did you try it? Did it work for you?
by Elizabeth 10 years ago
If Christianity really is the truth, shouldn't scrutiny demonstrate its truth?All over the place in America, we see believers responding with outrage and defiance when Christian beliefs are challenged or questioned. If the beliefs of Christianity are, in fact, the truth - the only truth, then...
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