T
TEPO
Guest
So would it also be a grave sin to burn tarot cards, since that would be uncharitable?
- Status
R
ricofall
Guest
It is my understanding that the Church has no official stance on how to dispose of unwanted bibles. So in light of that, throw a few bibles in the fire 
. It is not a sin and I challenge anyone to find an official Church teaching that makes it a sin. As far as why you would do it is another thread. A bible is a collection of copies of books that the Vatican holds. Now try to burn those and you may have started a war.
. It is not a sin and I challenge anyone to find an official Church teaching that makes it a sin. As far as why you would do it is another thread. A bible is a collection of copies of books that the Vatican holds. Now try to burn those and you may have started a war.
J
Jeffgo
Guest
I think that the point that’s being missed here is that the OP isn’t asking how to dispose of a Bible…he’s asking if it’s ok to destroy Bibles for fun. Now, the Magisterium hasn’t explicitly stated that incinerating Bibles for entertainment is sinful, but really, do they have to? It’s the sacred Word of God. Disposing of it for a just cause (it’s worn out, ruined, etc.) is one thing. Incinerating it because you’re bored is sacrilegious. It shows profound disrespect to the Scriptures, and to the God that inspired them. The Magisterium has said, very clearly, that we are to respect the Scriptures. Recreational burning is not respectful.
A
arthra
Guest
Burning scriptures in my Faith is forbidden…
At various times in history books have been burned and destroyed…
including translations of the Bible not approved or other books…this went along with persecution of “heretics” and burning them as well… It’s interesting to see some of the cases in history:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_book_burning_incidents
As a token of grace from God, the Revealer of this Most Great Announcement, We have removed from the Holy Scriptures and Tablets the law prescribing the destruction of books.
~ Baha’u’llah, Tablets of Baha’u’llah, p. 25
At various times in history books have been burned and destroyed…
including translations of the Bible not approved or other books…this went along with persecution of “heretics” and burning them as well… It’s interesting to see some of the cases in history:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_book_burning_incidents
As a token of grace from God, the Revealer of this Most Great Announcement, We have removed from the Holy Scriptures and Tablets the law prescribing the destruction of books.
~ Baha’u’llah, Tablets of Baha’u’llah, p. 25
B
bmonk
Guest
I did not intend to say that it’s a sin, only that some people would be very upset at the “desecration” of a burned flag in one case, but approving of how the flag was disposed of in another–although both were burned.
Similarly, the fact of burning a bible is not the problem–rather, it’s the intent and circumstances that make the difference.
T
TEPO
Guest
Actually, what I’m trying to do here is explore the differences or similarities on how Protestant or Catholics view the bible.
…I’m seeing your view as very Protestant because you consider the physical matter of the book itself sort of as ‘part’ of God. I, on the other hand, would only view the book as Holy if it were blessed through the Holy Spirit. An un blessed bible, to me, is just a pile of thinly sliced wood.
R
Robin_des_Bois
Guest
In Islam, it’s a sin to burn someone that contains the name of God. If we want to dispose of a text mentionning God, we can throw it in a lake/sea/bassin since in water, the ink will disintegrate.
M
MyPseudonym
Guest
What about a Chick tract? Those have Bible verses and pictures in them.
T
TEPO
Guest
You mean something… I hope.
In any case, that seems to be common among many religions. It’s similar to the Catholic position of “Sacred” or “Holy” things. It’s interesting to me.
…in Catholicism though, there is no law protecting Gods written name -only laws protecting His name as spoken through the mouth.
T
TEPO
Guest
I wonder what the case would be for audio books that mention God… I’m curious what non Catholics would think about burning CD’s or DVD’s…
(I threw one in the garbage one time… It wasn’t blessed)
(I threw one in the garbage one time… It wasn’t blessed)
L
LegoGE1947
Guest
I’d flush a chick tract down the toilet!
R
Robin_des_Bois
Guest
Yeah, I meant something. Damn ADHD.You mean something… I hope.
In any case, that seems to be common among many religions. It’s similar to the Catholic position of “Sacred” or “Holy” things. It’s interesting to me.
…in Catholicism though, there is no law protecting Gods written name -only laws protecting His name as spoken through the mouth.
D
DexUK
Guest
We should certainly respect scripture - that is, we should certainly not use scripture in a profane way. For example, one can make a collage out of words in various typefaces, with the visual effect of the words at a distance being to create a picture. (I’ve seen it done, but I can’t remember the name of the artistic effect!). If one were to make that picture out of words and those words were extracts from scripture, but the overall effect was to create a visual image of something inappropriate, then that would not be respecting the scriptures. It need not actually be that one has to physically use pages from a bible - it’s the juxtaposition of the information that biblical passage conveys versus the improper use those words are put to.
Simply burning a piece of paper with words on it isn’t wrong just because it has words from the bible on it. It becomes wrong if you’re making a spectacle of it in order to make a larger point. Atheists will burn passages from the bible as a form of protest. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a photocopy or an actual bible at that point… it’s the wilful rejection of the word of God that is happening in that example.
E
ephesians4
Guest
If this is done in a spirit of disrespect for God or a person(s) then obviously it is disrespect for God or a person(s). I would not tend to go around doing disrespectful or particularly obscene things with stuff other people consider important if I were you.
The items themselves?
Well the written bible is just a thing - it is not really placed on a level with God or honoured/revered in that kind of way, because Christianity is not idolatrous. Even Catholicism, in spite of what some people think.
The word itself is beyond precious itself, but the objects? No. I would be more concerned about what the context is and what you’re meaning by it.
T
TEPO
Guest
During some Catholic Masses, I’ve seen the Priest begin the procession by holding a bible over his head, with both hands extended upwards, as he walks toward the altar. I’m not an expert on the Liturgy, but I know that sometimes I see this and sometimes I don’t.
I’ve even seen the Priest kiss the bible before opening it, then flips through to a certain page he has ‘book-marked’. I’ve also seen pictures of Popes kissing other religious books of worship -so there is clearly some appreciation towards ‘texts’.
Symbolisms, and hieroglyphic writings have also been considered sacred by almost all religions for as far back as we can see, including the Ten Commandments, which were also enscripted into stone.
Even witchcraft uses symbolisms and texts, which are found in books or cards.
…there is clearly some deep rooted relationship between our ability to communicate without using words, and our relationship with a higher power and it goes back a very long way. Maybe it’s such a deep rooted trait, that its actually part of what and who we are… It’s such a profound aspect of who we are that it seems to go unnoticed.
To be honest, in all actuality, I have a hard time throwing ANY book away. I still have textbooks from high school that I have a hard time parting with. If I were to get rid of them, I surely couldn’t burn them or throw them away -I’d almost have to donate them.
…
T
TEPO
Guest
Perhaps it has something to do with the idea that ‘texts’ do not die like we do. perhaps our natural passion for the everlasting, which is God, is expressed through us all in this way… As if we were designed that way.
5
504Katrin
Guest
This I can answer. I took Catholic Liturgy classes and had the same question. They taught me that it’s up to the Priest if he holds the bible up high, in front of him, or decides to skip the procession alltogether.**During some Catholic Masses, I’ve seen the Priest begin the procession by holding a bible over his head, with both hands extended upwards, as he walks toward the altar. I’m not an expert on the Liturgy, but I know that sometimes I see this and sometimes I don’t.
Symbolisms, and hieroglyphic writings have also been considered sacred by almost all religions for as far back as we can see, including the Ten Commandments, which were also enscripted into stone.
Even witchcraft uses symbolisms and texts, which are found in books or cards.
…there is clearly some deep rooted relationship between our ability to communicate without using words, and our relationship with a higher power and it goes back a very long way. Maybe it’s such a deep rooted trait, that its actually part of what and who we are… It’s such a profound aspect of who we are that it seems to go unnoticed.
To be honest, in all actuality, I have a hard time throwing ANY book away. I still have textbooks from high school that I have a hard time parting with. If I were to get rid of them, I surely couldn’t burn them or throw them away -I’d almost have to donate them.
L
LegoGE1947
Guest
In one parish I used to attend they only had the procession before Sunday Mass and skipped it before Weekday Masses.
E
epan
Guest
This strikes me as a trolling post.
If it is for no reason in particular, then why do you point out that you are burning a bible?
E
ephesians4
Guest
I feel exactly the same about books and have even passed this on to my children - books in general are to be respected and looked after, and book burning would kind of be anathema to me, personally.To be honest, in all actuality, I have a hard time throwing ANY book away. I still have textbooks from high school that I have a hard time parting with. If I were to get rid of them, I surely couldn’t burn them or throw them away -I’d almost have to donate them.
I think this is more a matter of cultural and personal sensibilities/taboo than religious reverence though if I’m honest.
I think as an act of disrespect or attempted desecration of something someone holds dear it is sinful, but would not give a copy of the bible any special or sacred reverence beyond simple respect.
I think if one really feels an absolute need to simulate the experience of burning a real book (and I don’t know why anybody would) there are Jeffrey Archer novels in charity shops everywhere which they can do it to, guilt-free.
- Status