Reading train - Improve your reading skills - Since when is reading books a sin?

Since when is reading books a sin?

i certainly don't think it is! as a muslim, i am ashamed at the way a few so-called muslims are reacting to salman rushdie's satanic verses. and i don't agree either with the way some christians have a strong opposition to harry potter. furthermore, some people don't read other people's religious texts, simply because it's not their religion. isn't it better to gain knowledge and to learn different perspectives? if God gave us free will and a brain, why then can't we all think for ourselves and refute books we don't agree with? if you really are strong in your beliefs, no book will be able to change that! i'm not trying to lump all religious people into one category. i just wanna know: what religion you are? do you think reading a book that may contain ideas contrary to your beliefs is a sin? why or why not? also, what kind of books do you read that might be considered controversial?

Public Comments

The Bible says GOD commanded MOSES in the OT to KILL WOMEN AND CHILDREN but keep the VIRGINS? The Tannaïtic Midrash Sifre to Numbers in §157 comments on the above quoted commandment of MOSES to kill the Midianite women as well as the male children...." "....According to the Tannaïte Rabbis, MOSES therefore had ordered the Israelites to kill all women older than three years and a day, because they were [virgins and] "suitable for having sexual relations." [138]...." "Said Rabbi Joseph, "Come and take note: A girl three years and one day old is betrothed by intercourse....." "A girl three years old may be betrothed through an act of sexual intercourse," the words of R. Meir. And sages say, "Three years and one day old."....." Said Rabbi Joseph, "Come and take note: A girl three years and one day old is betrothed by intercourse. And if a Levir has had intercourse with her, he has acquired her.….. If one of those who are unfit for marriage with her had intercourse with her, he has rendered her unfit to marry into the priesthood. If any of those who are forbidden in the Torah to have intercourse with her had intercourse with her, he is put to death on her account, but she is free of responsibility [M.Nid. 5:4]. Sanhedrin 7/55B [132] Under God's direction, Moses' army defeats the Midianites. They kill all the adult males, but take the women and children captive as sex slaves. When Moses learns that they left some alive, he angrily says: "Have you saved all the women alive? Kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman that hath known man by lying with him. But all the female children, that have not known a man by lying with him, keep alive for yourselves." So they went back and did as Moses instructed, killing everyone except for the virgins. In this way they got 32,000 virgins . ----(Numbers 31:1-54) The Jews got 32,000 VIRGINS as female sex slaves. 3 YEAR OLD girls were suitable for sexual relations. "Said Rabbi Joseph, "Come and take note: A girl three years and one day old is betrothed by intercourse....." /// ///
reading a book is not sinful unless it is written by satan
education is NEVER against God, Allah or any other supreme being as most consider literacy and intelligence as enlightenment.
It's not a sin, in my humble opinion, to read ANY book. Yes, it is better to learn other perspectives. I'm a Christian, yet I own and am reading the Koran, I've read many books on Buddhism and Wicca, I've studied Celtic, Greek, Egyptian and Roman mythology, and I also own several books that atheists have referred me to.
Like everyone involved in this issue, neither you, nor every one of these contributors, will have read The Satanic Verses. Only about 5 people in the world have read it, including Salmon Rushdie. Instead of wasting time on Yahoo Answers why dont you read the book?
i dont really have much of a religion anymore. i use to be a christian. but then i started finding alot of things in the bible that i just couldnt make myself believe. i know that might be bad, but thats just how i felt. and i COMPLETELY agree with you. i dont think reading at all should be considered a sin, unless you read about how to kill someone, and then go do it. im currently reading a trilogy called Magic or Madness. things about magical things, and the supernatural are very interesting to me. [i could now start on a very random topic and sidetrack, but i wont] if you like harry potter, you should read that book. but reading makes people think differently, and then teaches them how to think for their selves.
if the book draws you away from god it is a sin
Great question, bravo! I am Jewish, and from what I was taught when I was little...we are required to ask questions. To challenge everything. From my perspective, it is not a sin to read any book. If a person is strong in a religion that is based in both faith (of the heart) and education (of the mind) they will not be drawn away from it.
I'd have to agree with you. The problem is when we read books that challenge our beliefs it makes us question our beliefs. Thats why most religious people find reading certain book sinful. In a vast majority of formal religions one is NEVER to question. One is only to believe, and to believe with all of ones heart, body, and soul. Thats the procise reason i read book about religions. It gives me a further understanding of others belief system. It allowed me to see how much bull shit i was being fed.
Mankind's fall began when Adam and Eve ate from the "Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil" Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. There is good faith (God's Word) and bad faith (what the world says). If you what to learn french you should live in France, If you what to learn Farsi live in Iran, and if you what to learn faith live in good faith or God's Word.
i don't think reading is the problem; the writing is..i mean, i don't think publishing a book, which millions of people might find offensive is a very good idea..i mean if an ugly scene could be avoided, why go ahead with the plan?of the books that you've mentioned, i've only read Harry Potter,of which i find the accusations very much baseless.. and,i'm muslim, and i usually try to ignore controversial books, not because my faith isn't strong enough; but maybe because it might hurt the sentiments of a few people i know..
Its not reading thats a sin, its what you read that is! And Christianity doesn not forbid from reading other religious stuff. Im a Christian and know the quran and the gita and ramyan and buddhist books too. Thats becuse I wanted to have the right answers to answer some questions. Most preachers real all other religous books. But it is definitely a sin to read sinful books.
Mormons are counseled to not read anything about their church that's not approved by their church. They could be ex-communicated for doing so. Knowledge if fine for them, as long as it's approved by the mormon church.