Is it sacrilegous to read the Bible in the bathroom?

[brittrossiter]

OK. Before the jokes start flying, I am completely and totally serious in asking this question.

Is it sacrilege to carry a Bible into the restroom and continue reading it “in there”? I caught myself doing that about a week ago. I’d been reading it in my bedroom, and picked it up and carried it in with me without thinking about it. When I realized what I was doing I quickly put it down. I’m not trying to be scrupulous; I just don’t want to offend God by subjecting sacred items to conditions that are not worthy of their position.

Is this something I should confess, or is this a situation where the Word of God is good to be read at any location, even in the bathroom?

 

[LISA_Annette]

OK. Before the jokes start flying, I am completely and totally serious in asking this question.

Is it sacrilege to carry a Bible into the restroom and continue reading it “in there”? I caught myself doing that about a week ago. I’d been reading it in my bedroom, and picked it up and carried it in with me without thinking about it. When I realized what I was doing I quickly put it down. I’m not trying to be scrupulous; I just don’t want to offend God by subjecting sacred items to conditions that are not worthy of their position.

Is this something I should confess, or is this a situation where the Word of God is good to be read at any location, even in the bathroom?

Think of it this way. First of all you are reading the bible and so engrossed that you carried it into the restroom. You were engrossed which is pleasing to God. The fact that you took it ANYWHERE to read is wonderful, considering all the unbelief in our world—and all the real & blatant blasphemies we hear in our media against Our Lord.

 

[Convert_in_99]

OK. Before the jokes start flying, I am completely and totally serious in asking this question.

Is it sacrilege to carry a Bible into the restroom and continue reading it “in there”? I caught myself doing that about a week ago. I’d been reading it in my bedroom, and picked it up and carried it in with me without thinking about it. When I realized what I was doing I quickly put it down. I’m not trying to be scrupulous; I just don’t want to offend God by subjecting sacred items to conditions that are not worthy of their position.

Is this something I should confess, or is this a situation where the Word of God is good to be read at any location, even in the bathroom?

No, this is perfectly acceptable. Sometimes our precious little free time is spent in the bathroom. Sure beats reading sports illustrated, time, people or whatever else you might otherwise read.

**Jesus had to use the bathroom too, He completely and totally understands. He’s probably pleased as punch that you care to think of Him so often. **

BTW: I think you might also be suffering from scrupulosity. Reason I say this is I suffer from this too and this sounds exactly like something I would have fretted over just a few years ago. I’m not totally healed by any means, but, I am not as bothered by these little things as I once was. There are ways to treat this. You might want to talk to your priest about it, as he might be able to offer some tips to help you through this stage of your spiritual journey.

 

[Belle10]

OK. Before the jokes start flying, I am completely and totally serious in asking this question.

Is it sacrilege to carry a Bible into the restroom and continue reading it “in there”? I caught myself doing that about a week ago. I’d been reading it in my bedroom, and picked it up and carried it in with me without thinking about it. When I realized what I was doing I quickly put it down. I’m not trying to be scrupulous; I just don’t want to offend God by subjecting sacred items to conditions that are not worthy of their position.

Is this something I should confess, or is this a situation where the Word of God is good to be read at any location, even in the bathroom?

I think it’s fine as long as you don’t drop it in! Seriously, I think it’s fine, I don’t think God takes it as an insult. Remember that the Word of God is holy, but the actual physical item itself, though it should be cared for, isn’t inherently holy – it’s paper. If you use your reasoning that you don’t want to “offend God by subjecting sacred items to conditions that are not worthy of their position” then you’d have to say that we ourselves shouldn’t hold sacred items since we aren’t worthy either (except through Jesus). Know what I mean?

Have a good day!

 

[DJgang]

Gosh, I sure hope not!

 

[JRKH]

OK. Before the jokes start flying, I am completely and totally serious in asking this question.

Is it sacrilege to carry a Bible into the restroom and continue reading it “in there”? I caught myself doing that about a week ago. I’d been reading it in my bedroom, and picked it up and carried it in with me without thinking about it. When I realized what I was doing I quickly put it down. I’m not trying to be scrupulous; I just don’t want to offend God by subjecting sacred items to conditions that are not worthy of their position.

Is this something I should confess, or is this a situation where the Word of God is good to be read at any location, even in the bathroom?

Good heavens no.
Look at it this way. You are a Christian I presume so you carry Christ with you in your heart. So you carry Christ with you when you go to the bathroom. If this is not a problem How could reading the Bible there be a problem.

By the way I have an old Missal plus three other religious books in my bathroom right now. Plus I use the time for prayer. In our busy days it is sometimes the only quiet time we have.

My advise - don’t worry about it.

James

 

[Hellisreal]

Yes, good point convert- Jesus was fully human, and that entailed all the trappings (minus sin) too.

I see nothing in scriptures to indicate its something one can not do.

I remember reading about how bibles had to be smuggled in baby diapers (covered in plastic) to get into China.

The good thing is you are reading it!

 

[water]

It depends. If you take the Bible to the bathroom to finish up your reading so later you can watch sports on TV, etc …, then I think we don’t spend the time for reading His Word wisely.

 

[mercygate]

Teresa of Avila used to pray in there.

Come to think of it, I have logged some of my most productive prayer time in the bathtub.

No: it’s not a sin. A little icky, maybe, but definitely not a sin.

 

[Neil_Anthony]

I personally would not do that with the bible. I’m sure it isn’t a sin if you did it by accident, I just feel that it would be disrespectful.

OK. Before the jokes start flying, I am completely and totally serious in asking this question.

Is it sacrilege to carry a Bible into the restroom and continue reading it “in there”? I caught myself doing that about a week ago. I’d been reading it in my bedroom, and picked it up and carried it in with me without thinking about it. When I realized what I was doing I quickly put it down. I’m not trying to be scrupulous; I just don’t want to offend God by subjecting sacred items to conditions that are not worthy of their position.

Is this something I should confess, or is this a situation where the Word of God is good to be read at any location, even in the bathroom?

 

[Andruschak]

OK. Before the jokes start flying, I am completely and totally serious in asking this question.

Is it sacrilege to carry a Bible into the restroom and continue reading it “in there”? I caught myself doing that about a week ago. I’d been reading it in my bedroom, and picked it up and carried it in with me without thinking about it. When I realized what I was doing I quickly put it down. I’m not trying to be scrupulous; I just don’t want to offend God by subjecting sacred items to conditions that are not worthy of their position.

Is this something I should confess, or is this a situation where the Word of God is good to be read at any location, even in the bathroom?

Well, there is a story about Saint Teresa of Avilia. Seems as if she often prayed whilst on the can. This probably included many Bible passages, such as the Psalms. So one day the Devil appeared and mocked her activities.

She replied, “What comes out of my mouth is intended for God, the other end is intended for you”.

Never try to cross a saint.

 

[rlg94086]

Yes, good point convert- Jesus was fully human, and that entailed all the trappings (minus sin) too.

I see nothing in scriptures to indicate its something one can not do.

I remember reading about how bibles had to be smuggled in baby diapers (covered in plastic) to get into China.

The good thing is you are reading it!

I don’t know…as pointed out in another thread, there is no scriptural evidence that Jesus or any of the disciples went to the bathroom. This may be a Catholic invention!

 

[Hellisreal]

I don’t know…as pointed out in another thread, there is no scriptural evidence that Jesus or any of the disciples went to the bathroom. This may be a Catholic invention!

I just knew it! shh- dont tell everyone about that

 

[masondoggy]

She replied, “What comes out of my mouth is intended for God, the other end is intended for you”.

That just made my day!

 

[brigid12]

OK. Before the jokes start flying, I am completely and totally serious in asking this question.

Is it sacrilege to carry a Bible into the restroom and continue reading it “in there”? I caught myself doing that about a week ago. I’d been reading it in my bedroom, and picked it up and carried it in with me without thinking about it. When I realized what I was doing I quickly put it down. I’m not trying to be scrupulous; I just don’t want to offend God by subjecting sacred items to conditions that are not worthy of their position.

Is this something I should confess, or is this a situation where the Word of God is good to be read at any location, even in the bathroom?

On one hand, I’m sure you’re not the only one to do this, and, as far as needing to confess it, no I have never heard of that on any examination of conscience ( unless you want to give the priest a good laugh). On the other hand, I have heard in a number of places (can’t for the life of me remember where, but probably not great) that Luther, as an Augustinian monk, had his “ideas” there about the Church - kind of gives you pause.

 

[cyberwolf001]

Well, there is a story about Saint Teresa of Avilia. Seems as if she often prayed whilst on the can. This probably included many Bible passages, such as the Psalms. So one day the Devil appeared and mocked her activities.

She replied, “What comes out of my mouth is intended for God, the other end is intended for you”.

Never try to cross a saint.

You do NOT wanna know the visual that gave me!

 

[blessedstar]

No it isn’t.

You are a temple of the Holy Spirit and your soul is indwelled by the Holy Trinity and you take them to the bathroom with you; you go about together wherever you go.

In the Living Prayer of my life

 

[Tabitha]

Well, there is a story about Saint Teresa of Avilia. Seems as if she often prayed whilst on the can. This probably included many Bible passages, such as the Psalms. So one day the Devil appeared and mocked her activities.

She replied, “What comes out of my mouth is intended for God, the other end is intended for you”.

Never try to cross a saint.

I would really like to know where I can read this. Is this story in one of her books? Just too funny!

 

[cleofet]

I pray and read the Bible in the bathroom all the time. It is the only quite place in my house. It is a little embarrassing to tell people though. Glad to know there are lots of us out there. God bless all of us that pray on the can.

 

[Lepanto]

No, this is perfectly acceptable. Sometimes our precious little free time is spent in the bathroom. Sure beats reading sports illustrated, time, people or whatever else you might otherwise read.

I don’t think it’s perfectly acceptable at all, and I do find it repulsive if not sacriligious. Put the bible down, do your thing, wash your hands, come out and resume reading. How hard can that be? If you need to read something while on the can take the NY Times.

**Jesus had to use the bathroom too, He completely and totally understands. He’s probably pleased as punch that you care to think of Him so often. **

I hardly think that Jesus read the Torah while on the can. Jews of that era (and many today) would dare not even write the entire name of God or even utter it. They took (take) the Third Commandment very seriously, and so with the entire Word of God. What we are discussing here is a profanation of the Third Commandment.

BTW: I think you might also be suffering from scrupulosity. Reason I say this is I suffer from this too and this sounds exactly like something I would have fretted over just a few years ago. I’m not totally healed by any means, but, I am not as bothered by these little things as I once was. There are ways to treat this. You might want to talk to your priest about it, as he might be able to offer some tips to help you through this stage of your spiritual journey.

I think the original poster is asking a very prudent question. His “gut feeling” is correct that it would be inappropriate.
The whole idea of taking the bible onto the toilet cavalierly cheapens the Word of God, so much so that we become careless about what it really is. After a while, we no longer reverence it and then these kinds of scenarios go from unthinkable to being acceptable. What’s next? Scripture toilet paper? If not, why not?