Worst Bible verses (my opinion)
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TW: religious (obvi), I’m atheist so ill sleep at night either way.
Deuteronomy 22:28–29
“If a man meets a virgin who is not betrothed, and seizes her and lies with her, and they are found, then the man who lay with her shall give to the father of the young woman fifty shekels of silver, and she shall be his wife.”
Why it’s harmful:
This verse has been interpreted to mean that a rape victim must marry her rapist, provided she was not engaged. While some scholars argue that the Hebrew word here might suggest seduction or premarital sex, many see it as legitimizing or trivializing sexual violence. It reflects a culture where women were considered property, and rape was a crime against a male guardian, not the woman herself.
Leviticus 20:13
“If a man lies with a male as with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination; they shall surely be put to death; their blood is upon them.”
Why it’s harmful:
This verse has been used to justify violence, discrimination, and criminalization of LGBTQ+ individuals. The term “abomination” has carried tremendous weight and stigma, leading to centuries of persecution. Modern scholarship varies on interpretation, with some arguing it refers to specific ritual or temple practices rather than consensual relationships.
Ephesians 5:22–24
“Wives, submit to your own husbands as to the Lord…”
Why it’s harmful:
This verse has been used to enforce rigid gender roles and justify abuse under the guise of religious submission. While the surrounding context also tells husbands to love their wives sacrificially, the emphasis on obedience has often overshadowed that message.
Numbers 31:17–18
“Now therefore kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman who has known man intimately. But all the girls who have not known man intimately, keep alive for yourselves.”
Why it’s harmful:
This verse, spoken by Moses, calls for the mass killing of Midianite prisoners, including children, and the keeping of virgin girls. Critics call this genocide and condoned sexual enslavement. It is one of the most morally disturbing commands attributed to a biblical figure.
Genesis 19 (Sodom and Gomorrah)
Lot offers his daughters to a violent mob to protect guests; later, the cities are destroyed.
Why it’s harmful:
Often interpreted as a condemnation of homosexuality, the story has been used to demonize LGBTQ+ individuals. Lot offering his daughters also portrays a patriarchal willingness to sacrifice women to protect men. The deeper issue in the story—inhospitality and gang rape—is often overlooked in these interpretations.
Judges 19 (The Levite’s Concubine)
A man gives his concubine to a mob, they gang-rape her all night, and she dies. He then cuts her into 12 pieces and sends them across Israel.
A man gives his concubine to a mob, they gang-rape her all night, and she dies. He then cuts her into 12 pieces and sends them across Israel.
Deuteronomy 21:18–21
“If a man has a stubborn and rebellious son… then all the men of the city shall stone him to death with stones.”
Why it’s harmful:
This passage commands the death penalty for a disobedient son, which promotes excessive punishment and harsh authoritarian parenting. While not practiced today, its presence in scripture has led to debates about the ethics of biblical law.
1 Timothy 2:11–12
“Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness. I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet.”
Why it’s harmful:
This verse has been used to bar women from leadership in churches, education, and even society at large. It’s seen as upholding patriarchal structures and has played a key role in institutionalized sexism within Christianity.
Psalm 137:9
“Blessed shall he be who takes your little ones and dashes them against the rock!”
Why it’s harmful:
This disturbing verse expresses a cry for vengeance during exile in Babylon. While it reflects raw human anger and grief, it imagines infanticide as a form of justice. Taken literally, it can shock modern readers and has been criticized for its violent imagery.
Exodus 21:20–21
“When a man strikes his slave, male or female, with a rod and the slave dies under his hand, he shall be avenged. But if the slave survives a day or two, he is not to be avenged, for the slave is his money.”
Why it’s harmful:
This passage condones slavery and treats the life of a slave as property. It’s been historically cited to justify chattel slavery, especially in the American South. The distinction between killing and merely injuring a slave reflects dehumanization and normalization of violence.
Final Thoughts
Many of these verses reflect ancient worldviews: patriarchal, tribal, hierarchical, and sometimes violent. While some believers interpret them as metaphorical, contextual, or no longer applicable under the New Covenant (through Jesus), others take them literally, leading to harmful ideologies and real-world consequences.
Modern theologians, ethicists, and scholars often grapple with these texts, working to reinterpret or challenge their application in contemporary life. Many faith communities have moved away from literal interpretations and emphasize broader principles of love, justice, and mercy.
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