Gervase - interesting that you would mention the Bible on your list. You have the courage to go where angels fear to tread. :-) I personally regard the Bible as a very valuable document in many ways, but I get your drift.

I think the problem historically with the Bible has been people's tendency to interpret highly symbolic metaphor in a completely literal fashion...or to conveniently interpret whatever piece of it is handy to them, in order to support their current agenda, while blithely ignoring the actual teachings of Jesus which may utterly invalidate that same agenda.

The basic teachings of Jesus are very simple. Love God. Trust God. Love one another. Love yourself (in the sense of having a healthy sense of self-esteem). Be harmless unto others. Treat others as you would wish to be treated. Forgive those who have caused you harm. Do not judge others, but have the courage to stand up for what you feel is right. Forgive, forgive, forgive, but do not yield your own integrity in the process.

Then there's all the other complicated stuff...the history, the accounts of kings, kingdoms, warfare, deceit, betrayal, greed, and so on.

Some of it is simply historical account. Some of it (I would assert) is self-serving political propaganda by this or that group, seeking to justify and glorify themselves at the expense of others (whom they may have slaughtered).

Some of it is sacred and inspired poetry that lifts the spirit high (read the Psalms!).

Some of it is the blazing words of genuine prophets afire with revelation (read Isaiah or Ezekial or Revelation, etc).

Some of it is mind-numbing lists of rules, names, numbers, and more rules...which are utterly archaic and have no application in today's society. They had application several thousand years ago, but not anymore.

Therefore, you can find anything you want in the Bible...the Word of God, the words of men, the words of prophets or whatever. Everyone from the outright fascist murderer to the outright humanitarian saint has drawn inspiration from the Bible, according to his chosen interpretation of it.

For these reasons, it is a fascinating and valuable document...but it must be read with great care and discretion...and the essential teachings of Jesus (which are most humanitarian) had best be kept in mind all the while.