I just came across this book recently. It may be the most disturbing thing I’ve ever seen in my life. (And I’ve seen 2 Girls 1 Cup.)
The book is called Illustrated Stories from the Bible (that they won’t tell you in Sunday School) by Paul Farrell, published by American Atheists Press.
The title gives away what’s inside.
So does the cover…
That’s from 2 Kings 2:24, by the way.
Let’s see what else is inside…
There’s the story of Uriah the Hittite (II Samuel, Chapters 11-12), in which God decided to kill David’s baby. “David wondered why an innocent baby should be killed but he was relieved that he personally would not have to feel any pain. So God personally put a horrible plague on the newly born little baby and it struggled and suffered in great pain”:
There’s also the Slaughter of the Midianites (Numbers, Chapters 21-31), in which God’s men were told to kill the non-virgin mothers along with their unborn children:
Can’t forget the sister-raping in 2 Samuel 13:1-19, when David’s son Amnon ravishes his sister Tamar against her will:
Clearly, great bedtime stories for children. Or a great gag gift for atheists. Or a book that just makes you think the next time someone calls the Bible the “Good Book.”
Just to be clear, no one is suggested this is what Christianity is all about. I’ll be the first to admit there are plenty of positive messages in the Bible, too.
The author’s point is that we should not forget or gloss over the stories that depict God or God’s followers in a bad light. It’s all in the same book.
I’m curious how many Christians were aware of these stories at all — and if so, how were they explained to you growing up.