Is it a sin to throw a bible out?

[magic_stick]

I was given a bible from a coworker who took it from his daughter. It was thoughtful of him but honestly, I don’t want it. I can’t give it back because it’s been years and I no longer have contact with him. I haven’t thrown it out because I feel guilty in doing so, like it’s so wrong to throw it out. I thought about giving it to the church but I am sure they won’t take it. I don’t know. What do I do with it?

 

[Totterman]

Jesus,our Lords peace be with You.
Sorry for my bad english. Tresure it forever,also in Your heart. Those things is what later form the golden Rosary of life. Each pearl taking You back to memories of happiness.

 

[jtodisco]

If you really do not want to keep this Bible you could always give it to a Goodwill type organization. Then you’re not throwing it out, nor are you keeping it. Instead you’re possibly allowing someone who has very little money to buy a Bible for very cheap (since most books at Goodwill/Salvation Army stores are around 50 cents each).

In fact, I’d suggest you do this with just about anything you own and no longer want (so long as it’s in reasonably good condition). The amount of perfectly fine items people throw out rather than give to charitable organizations who will make sure those who need them get them is beyond tragic.

 

[Cat_Herder]

I was given a bible from a coworker who took it from his daughter. It was thoughtful of him but honestly, I don’t want it. I can’t give it back because it’s been years and I no longer have contact with him. I haven’t thrown it out because I feel guilty in doing so, like it’s so wrong to throw it out. I thought about giving it to the church but I am sure they won’t take it. I don’t know. What do I do with it?

Donate it.

A Bible is a sacramental and as with any sacramental, it cannot be thrown away.

 

[teachccd]

If it is the New World Translation then it would be advisable to throw it away. Almost any other translation should be donated to charity where someone can use it. One really should never throw a bible away even if it means nothing to you it will to many others… God bless…teachccd

 

[m134e5]

Donate it.

A Bible is a sacramental and as with any sacramental, it cannot be thrown away.

If it is not blessed, it is not a sacramental and it is fine to throw it away. If it’s a good, Catholic translation, it would be worth keeping or donating to someone who needs it. If it is a Catholic translation, but one you don’t want, donate it to someone else. If it is a non-Catholic translation (good or bad), throw it away.

 

[Cat_Herder]

If it is not blessed, it is not a sacramental and it is fine to throw it away.

That doesn’t sound right to me…

Catholic Encyclopedia:

All the sacramentals have not the same effect; this depends on the prayer of the Church which does not make use of the same urgency nor have recourse to the same Divine sources of merit. Some sacramentals derive no special efficacy from the prayer of the Church; such are those which are employed in worship, without a blessing, or even with a blessing which does not specify any particular fruit. This is the case with the blessing of vessels meant to contain the holy oils: “Give ear to our prayers, most merciful Father, and deign to bless and sanctify these purified vessels prepared for the use of the sacred ministry of Thy Church”. On the other hand, some sacramentals, among them one of those most frequently used, holy water, are the object of a benediction which details their particular effects.

 

[jawgee]

Donate it.

At our church’s annual holiday fair there is always a table of religious items that people have donated because they no longer want them.

 

[Newbie2]

Is it in new or nearly new conditioni? Sell it on Ebay or Amazon.com. Someone is always looking for a deal. Price it cheap.

 

[CatholicLife]

You can burn it and bury the ashes.

 

[Pat_Payne]

I’d come into a similar situation when I’d rescued an old Torah from a library’s “free box.” I kept it for a while, but it started to disintegrate, but it seemed disrespectful to just toss it out. So, I finally gave it back to a local synagogue for proper disposal (apparently, they bury old, unusable Torahs).

In the same way, there’s nothing that says you can’t take the Bible to your nearest parish to use or donate as they see fit.

 

[Gift_from_God]

When I was a toddler, I ripped a page out of a Bible my parents own (I highly doubt it was a sin because I was a baby) but they still have it. But I think it was only one page

 

[RosaryFan]

If it is not blessed, it is not a sacramental and it is fine to throw it away. If it’s a good, Catholic translation, it would be worth keeping or donating to someone who needs it. If it is a Catholic translation, but one you don’t want, donate it to someone else. If it is a non-Catholic translation (good or bad), throw it away.

I still wouldn’t feel right throwing it out even if it is not blessed. It is the word of God and should not be thrown in the garbage. I would say, if you cannot donate it and you really want to get rid of it, you can burn it or bury it. These are respectable ways of disposing of holy items.

 

[Adam1986]

I was given a bible from a coworker who took it from his daughter. It was thoughtful of him but honestly, I don’t want it. I can’t give it back because it’s been years and I no longer have contact with him. I haven’t thrown it out because I feel guilty in doing so, like it’s so wrong to throw it out. I thought about giving it to the church but I am sure they won’t take it. I don’t know. What do I do with it?

Actually yeah I’d say it probably is a sin. Not a send you to Hell for all eternity sin, but just donate it instead.

 

[Zooey]

If you really do not want to keep this Bible you could always give it to a Goodwill type organization. Then you’re not throwing it out, nor are you keeping it. Instead you’re possibly allowing someone who has very little money to buy a Bible for very cheap (since most books at Goodwill/Salvation Army stores are around 50 cents each).

In fact, I’d suggest you do this with just about anything you own and no longer want (so long as it’s in reasonably good condition). The amount of perfectly fine items people throw out rather than give to charitable organizations who will make sure those who need them get them is beyond tragic.

If it is the New World Translation then it would be advisable to throw it away. Almost any other translation should be donated to charity where someone can use it. One really should never throw a bible away even if it means nothing to you it will to many others… God bless…teachccd

Yes, this.