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This site is an introduction to the Bible from a human perspective. That is, treating it as the product of humans, and from a humanist perspective, without believing that the supernatural beings in it are real.

You may have little or no familiarity with the Bible, but perhaps you would like to understand it more. This guide offers an alternative to the many devotional introductions written by the faithful, to help you to appreciate it for yourself. Here we will look at its stories, its history and development, and some of the controversies surrounding it.

I'm an atheist. You may not be, but you are perhaps a human. I won't make you prove that. Anyway, you may wonder why an atheist would want to read the Bible? This and other questions are answered in the FAQ. Some more information about the site can also be found in the About section.

What will I find here?

There are two main divisions of the site, with different aims:

  • First, a Reading Guide designed to help you start reading the Bible story even if you have no prior knowledge of it. It is quite a complicated book, and can be intimidating to newcomers. To help you, this guide begins with a brief overview of the contents and some basic information you need to get started, before setting out on a journey through this amazing fantasy epic. Please note, the Reading Guide is a work in progress and more content is being added all the time.

  • Second, a collection of articles on Topics about the Bible and the wider world of non-canonical biblical literature. This includes explainers specifically for beginners, as well as more detailed articles on authorship and textual history, archaeology, translation, and the struggle over the Bible's religious and political authority, which continues to this day. See the Topic Index.

Latest additions

September 2026

Now reading: 1 Samuel 4 - 12

The Topics pages include an outline of the historical periods over which the Bible was written. For those who want some orientation on the basic terminology like Old and New Testaments, or chapters and verses, there is the Jargon Buster.

August 2026

In the Reading Guide, we begin reading the book of 1 Samuel. In chapters 1-3 the young Samuel serves at Yahweh's temple, where he hears the god call him. Following the story further in chapters 4-7 we read about the struggles between the Israelites and their enemies the Philistines.

The Topics pages open with a look at how the text of the Bible can be established. Future articles will cover the relationship of the Bible to the history of its times, and an examination of how the Bible has been interpreted through the centuries.