is the bible copyrighted?

i have a question, i was wondering if i could post entire books of the bible into the religion, faith, and theology section. starting with genesis as its own thread and ending with the book of revelation.

i will type them out one by one from a copy of my bible or find one online that i can copy-paste.

i was just wondering because id like to easily use these threads in discussions as references.

a reply to: Belcastro

It's an iffy subject. While the text of the Bible is public domain, in it's original form, most of the modern translations are not and are subject to copyright.

Even if that were not the case, the format you are suggesting would be problematic given the space requirements. Such threads would end up having OP's that were dozens, if not hundreds of posts long.

a reply to: Hefficide

oh i understand. i will refrain from doing so then but i think its messed up that certain editions oif the bible are copyrighted

originally posted by: Belcastro
i have a question, i was wondering if i could post entire books of the bible into the religion, faith, and theology section. starting with genesis as its own thread and ending with the book of revelation.

i will type them out one by one from a copy of my bible or find one online that i can copy-paste.

i was just wondering because id like to easily use these threads in discussions as references.

The amount of time spent compared to the amount of time saved by linking to already established sources does not justify your proposal. What I'd prefer is that all followers start taking the Old Testament seriously and get this party started.

They must realize their current Bible is incomplete, otherwise they'd be wrong.

Oh well.

originally posted by: Belcastro
oh i understand. i will refrain from doing so then but i think its messed up that certain editions oif the bible are copyrighted

Publishing a new translation of any book has a financial cost (translators' time, for a start), which needs to be covered.
Given the quantity of text in the Bible, following a physical copy is a much more convenient way of working anyway.

a reply to: Belcastro

The King James has no copyright while the rest have some restrictions . You have to check each translation for the conditions they pose . A good Bible software package like Esword www.e-sword.net... which is free has over 30 bible versions you can download for free as well . Some versions you have to pay but there is lots of free data . No need to type out as you can copy and paste .

a reply to: eisegesis
I once did a sermon comparing the Bible to an Agatha Christie novel, IN THAT;
The New Testament is like the final chapter in which Poirot explains all the puzzles.
The Old Testament is like the rest of the book, which outlines all the puzzles that he's explaining.
Then it's easy to see how one part is incomplete without the other.

a reply to: Belcastro

There are online versions of the Bible already, in lots of different translations so you can compare them. You could link across to them and that would probably sort out any rights infringement issues.

Also, you could concentrate on your commentary and input, which is really what ATS is all about.

originally posted by: DISRAELI
a reply to: eisegesis
I once did a sermon comparing the Bible to an Agatha Christie novel, IN THAT;
The New Testament is like the final chapter in which Poirot explains all the puzzles.
The Old Testament is like the rest of the book, which outlines all the puzzles that he's explaining.
Then it's easy to see how one part is incomplete without the other.

Simply put, you are an exception to "my" rules.

To meet you on ATS helps solidify my impression. Whether a patron or a true pragmatic, its hard for me to go against something that I find so valuable to those lacking any discernible virtue.

It's merit is amplified by it's words alone, regardless who its written by or what it represents. Just take it for what it is and stop trying to cult-ivate the remaining free thinkers as seeds yet sowed.

Support freedom through betterment, not freedom through salvation. I apologize in advance if your definition of salvation differs from mine, as I notice you try and interpret the Bible as someone who is open to interpretation.

originally posted by: DISRAELI
a reply to: eisegesis
I once did a sermon comparing the Bible to an Agatha Christie novel, IN THAT;
The New Testament is like the final chapter in which Poirot explains all the puzzles.
The Old Testament is like the rest of the book, which outlines all the puzzles that he's explaining.
Then it's easy to see how one part is incomplete without the other.

So, the text remains a "living thing" to be added to (or one would think so): as the mystery remains unsolved. NOT ALLOWED. New Testament the end all be all (someone needs to rewrite the Bible to include Gnostic texts).

a reply to: Hefficide

The words of the Christian God are copyrighted? Does the divine Creator know that?

a reply to: the2ofusr1

Any idea how many versions of the Christian Bible are out there? Never gave thought about this before...

a reply to: NewzNose

Proselytism is a Christian concept involving a copyright so hardcore, nations and souls therein are paid instead of federal reserve notes, like Twilight and Selfish Gene copyrights.

We do not need to see entire books of the Bible posted on ATS.

a reply to: Belcastro

The bible is a religious text, certain modern translations are copyrighted but that copyright is not very strong due to the fact they are rehashing an already translated book.

Copyright though is a subjective term when you reference a religious text such as the bible because it is a freely available text with many sites on line offering entire pdf's and web pages freely quoting from it.

Now whom could prosecute or take you to court over replicating it, well no one really unless you copy a proprietry edition which is uniquely translated such as some of the abridged easy reading bible's which may or may not be copyrighted, actually since to copyright the good news would in itself be classified as blasphemous by the christian fraternity and the aim of the bible is to spread the word so reproducing it (verbally or otherwise in part or in it's entirety) is a christian requirement of the evangelical type I can not imagine any problem whatever.

The only real problem is the sheer size of the bible, I copyed out many part's and it took ages for me, plus I have a very heavy style of writing so my hand ached but even typing it would be hard given the sheer size of the text.

Personally I don't believe it is copyrighted as it is open source public information and to copyright it would raise christian wrath as it would essentially be some plonker claiming the word of God as his own exclusive property.

Go forth and spread the good news.


One caveat, web sites ARE often copyrighted so if you opt instead to cut and paste from other pages and they are then that could be problematic, also remember there own translation could be proprietry but if they are christian sites then I think they would not have a problem with it, still referencing those pages would be easier I suppose except for passage's you wish to hilight and re-phrase in whatever manner of explanation you are wishing to put across to debate with ATS resident sceptics and believers.

a reply to: Phage

We each have a voice on ATS, Phage. Kind of you to speak up for how many members?

a reply to: NewzNose

Is God a member of ATS? He is, after all, the author of the Bible. Right?

We're here to discuss our ideas, not read the Bible.

a reply to: Belcastro

yes it's copyrighted look on the second to last page of the bible. "© AD 62 Jesus and Friends"

a reply to: Phage

Is God a member of ATS? He is, after all, the author of the Bible. Right?


You are a fine editor, Phage. And signatory too.

You in particular and many in general discuss the bible online.

Most will say they discuss it because it's not as good as the selfish gene, yet they discuss it.
In doing so, they will give quotes.

So earlier you said jesus is a member of the ATF? Is that why Koresh/Howell the infamous paedophile committed suicide?

a reply to: wisvol

Quoting an entire book of the Bible is not required for discussion. Unless perhaps, one is simply proselytizing.


Jesus? ATF? Koresh?

If you made some sense perhaps I could respond.
But alas.