Awkward Moments (Not Found In Your Average) Children's Bible - Vol. 2: Don't blame us - it's in the Bible!

Adjusting this one to 3 stars as I did find this book a tad bit better.I was a Christian at youth, atheist in my young adulthood, and I see myself as a Christian-kind-of-everything generally chill dude, now. I have a ton of research background on the Bible and love the idea of drawing in children's bible illustration the more obtuse and absurd passages from the Bible. There is a lot to make fun of and draw out as absurdities. Unfortunately the author makes 3 mistakes.Not Selective: The author is not selective and often choses stories that arguably are less absurd in traditionally supposed context. While it not bad to point out the questionable nature of some stories, it heightens the barrier of entry to Christians who may feel offended that he doesn't consider the perspective that would be traditional to these passages. It ends up creating an argument. There are so many patently absurd stories that are unarguably admitted absurd even by myself (a Christian) and other Christians (I've talked about these at length with my much more conservative family) that the author could have simply written one or two more concise volumes and ended up with a wider audience. I really, REALLY hope that Horus does an ACTUAL Children's absurd Bible some day and takes this approach. I plan to give my children a Children's Bible some day. I would love to give them something like this a few years later for greater understanding but for this reason and the next to I will not be able to do so.Some examples of this are the depiction in book 2 of David and Johnathan as lovers. Anyone familiar with the subject knows this is an extremely tenuous and reaching conclusion that we simply can't make with the available evidence. It's the kind of thing that's going to change someone who is open to this book to someone who is closed, especially with the illustration. Another example of this is the depiction of Leviticus 21:16-23, where God tells the Israelites that he wants the priestly lineage of Aaron's descendants to only send priests with perfect bodies onto the temple's alter. Someone learned of the Bible will know that Aaron's line are all priests. The story is absurd in itself. Why would God care about physical defects? Isn't it what is inside that counts? A conservative believer will argue that well God wants to demonstrate physically his commitment to perfection by having only even people that are physically perfect be the ones who handle the temple alter sacrifices. It doesn't say they can't go into the temple or that they can't worship - yet that's how the author depicts it in his illustration - showing handicapped people being led away into a dungeon or basement while fully able bodied people are ushered into a church. It's a point well made - but to someone who is on the edge, it's a huge turnoff. This is just the kind of thing that makes this, what could be fun between conservative and liberal Christians, into something really awkward and not fun, and honestly not even productive. People are stupid. Who is to say that God wouldn't want his sacrifice handling priests or whatever to be physically perfect. We're talking about what God might do with dumb, ancient bronze age humans. I'm actually fine with the verse being included, but at least depict it accurately so serious discuss can be had.Another example is a brief illustration indicating that there is some connection between Jesus and Horus, Mithra, Buddha, and a small list of other holy figures. I get that this was written in the height of the "Jesus wasn't real" epoch of popular history. I remember it. I was in the trenches of atheist and apologetics groups at that time and I remember it. But anyone who truly read a real historian on it - see Bart Ehrman - knows that the evidence is overwhelming that Jesus actually existed. This illustration and badly made point seems so out of place that I doubt a conservative would appreciate it, and a knowledgeable liberal can only cringe at it. I know that there are some uneducated liberals who will laugh at the reference, but again, what are we doing here?Author Changes Bible Verses for Effect: The author straight up changes the text of certain verses for effect. An example of this is his treatment of Numbers 15:32-36 in book three. He depicts the wording and paints the illustration to suggest that the story is that of a man who was randomly picking up A single stick on the Sabbath and for this was killed. The actual story is equally as absurd, but closer to the original true context. The actual story is of a man "gathering" stickS on the Sabbath and for this he is killed. Still completely absurd. But obviously the story is to show how seriously God takes His command to not work on the Sabbath. The man was gathering wood for fire, obviously, not just randomly picking up sticks. It's a minor difference, but the unneeded change in the text and in the illustration again creates unneeded discord between the conservative Christian who might otherwise admit that the original story is indeed extremely ridiculously harsh (like my innocent, conservative mother did when we discussed this) and the author. This sets up animosity and distrust between any reader who may be more inclined to be skeptical.Finally, ultimately, the overall presentation and art is just mocking. I don't know who would actually enjoy this. I supposed there are people out there who would, but to me the whole enterprise just comes off as very hateful and mocking. There could be actually productive purpose and presentation here, that could lead to actually productive conversations. Unfortunately for me, while I was hoping me and my family could share a laugh with this, it will get buried in my books collection and probably just get thrown away. I don't find the negative presentation enjoyable. The author sees fit to write at length at the end - fair enough - but how can they expect us to give him a fair shake and bother reading all this when he didn't do his own due diligence before publishing something that, honestly, I have to say is just to much of a work of hate. There is good stuff here, REALLY good. If all three volumes were pruned back and worked out a bit - we could have something really special.

What a great and much need representation of how so many of us see the bible. The children's theme and art mixed with the very mature content really point out how it's not a book for everyone and we have to lie to our children and new commercials to the religion to make it seem good.

Still way not for children. Well, maybe.I finished up the second volume of Awkward Moments (awkwardmomentsbible.com) and I must say it really was better than the first (If that is possible). The book tackled more complicated stories and issues and I really got the feeling that the authors passion went to a different level. Issues such as "The Ultimate Privilege of sacrifice", "The new Christian Holy War", "Under God in the classroom", "Burning the Trash" and one of my personal favorites "I am nothing with Jesus".Simply put this book is amazing! It tackles more of Biblical stories and really shows how ridiculous all these things are when put into a realistic perspective. The attitude of the author is not one of hatred or anger but instead just presents the facts and encourages the Christian (or anyone else) to objectively consider the historical facts and reason.I would encourage everyone to read it. Yes even children although depending on their background it could be rather shocking. I would especially put a challenge out there to all my Christian friends and anyone who has posted a "God is Love. Like if you agree" on Facebook. (Clearly God is not Love.) So come on all you Christians and "Christian Up" and put your big boy pants on and grab your favorite version of the Bible and try to get through this book with a critical thinking open mind. I really doubt you can do it, but I hope you can. You will be better for it and I won't tell your pastor. It will be our little secret .Horus Gilgamesh is a fun author to read. He has a strong background in historical religion and has lived in the ministry many years before writing this book. His insight is well thought out and he has a humble attitude toward delivering the material. He knows what he is talking about. It is a great read!Note: No kool-aid was consumed while writing this review. (read the book)Easter Egg: The forward is written by a pastor (minister).

These books are basic; they don't go into great depth but do promote a wtf did I just read perspective. I actually checked out the relevant passages in two different versions (how can the unalterable truth have different versions) just to fact check. That said they are a slap in the face to any follower of the Abrahamic faiths - in a how did you not spot this in your book way? I, as the only non believer in my extended family feel it is my duty to leave these nice innocent looking logic bombs lying around for my nieces and nephews to absorb.

The funniest thing about these books is that the stories are the same as they are in the bible.

Brilliant book. Takes snippets from the bible and fully illustrates the passage. What would be brilliant is if we knew what they were really trying to tell us all those years ago. Or were they written down accurately?Frightening if they were!Certainly not for children :)Bought both books and very much worth it.Came promptly and in excellent condition.

After enjoying the first book, I was looking forward to having a good simple time with this book over Christmas.However, this addition is blacker in its interpretation, it challenges you to take a second look at the good book in a hard hitting manner!I love it!Keep going Horus you have a rich vein to keep tapping in to!

I love it!