Q&A for How to Dispose of a Bible

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  • Question
    What can I do if I have burnt a Bible disrespectfully during a time when I was anti-Christian? Will God forgive me?
    Community Answer
    The Lord is faithful and just to forgive you. Repent, and if you truly mean what you say in your repentance prayer, He will forgive you.
  • Question
    Why would one need to dispose of a Bible?
    Community Answer
    If the Bible is falling apart or damaged in a way that you can't read it.
  • Question
    We have a Bible from the family of an acquaintance. We cleared out her apartment on her death but we have no connection to them at all. What should we do?
    Community Answer
    You could give it to their family if they want it, or you could donate it to a local church.
  • Question
    I have an 1892 Bible, what should I do with it?
    Community Answer
    You could pass it along to a family member, or donate it to a local church or museum.
  • Question
    What if the Bible has bedbugs?
    Community Answer
    You could either store the bedbugs in an airtight container until you are sure that the bedbugs are dead, or burn it. I would not suggest burying it because the bugs will probably survive the burial. If you decide to use the first option, you will need to look up how long it takes for the bedbugs to die to be sure.
  • Question
    How can I get rid of a Bible that smells like cigarette smoke?
    Community Answer
    You can recycle it, bury it, or burn it.
  • Question
    I found Bibles after my dad's death. The priest said he called the diocese and they told him to bury them with next person in the family. I feel the family should have been asked first. How do I change their policy?
    Community Answer
    You may not be able to change the policy, but you can discuss it with the diocese.
  • Question
    Can I autograph a Bible like it’s a book, so as to collect autographs?
    Community Answer
    This depends on your faith and what believers feel about the Bible. For centuries, some families have written family trees, family names and signatures in Bibles. Whereas, other families or believers consider it is blasphemous to write anything in the Bible other than highlighting important verses or words. It is God's Word and as such it is holy, so you might be better off buying an autograph book instead.
  • Question
    My family buried my Daddy's Bible with my Mother because they did not want me to have it. Was this wrong, I wanted it more than anything.
    Community Answer
    There might be more depth to that decision. Did your mother show intentions to have it buried with her? They may have done it because they wanted them to take it and not because of you. You can understand their feelings. Buy or ask in your church for a new Bible and write your parent's name on it. Forgive them if it hurt you.
  • Question
    Isn’t placing this much importance on the physical copy of a Bible worshiping it as an idol?
    Community Answer
    No. Placing importance upon the Bible and disposing of it in a respectful fashion is different from worshiping.
  • Question
    When my great grandma passed away I was left her favorite Bible. It is very old and half the pages are missing––is it wrong to keep it? This is not something I want to bury, burn or throw away.
    Zack
    Top Answerer
    It is good to keep it as an heirloom and a reminder of your grandmother's faith. Simply remember to treat it respectfully, especially given it is in that condition.
  • Question
    Where can I donate my late husband's Bibles? He had at least 25, all in good condition.
    Torpi
    Top Answerer
    Churches and Christian homeless shelters are the most likely places to take all 25 at once. Otherwise, you could donate smaller numbers to a variety of other places, such as thrift stores. Finally - the fact that he had 25 makes me think that some of these may have been especially noteworthy for more than personal reasons (e.g. antique copies or rare translations). If this is true, libraries may be interested.
  • Question
    What if you became an atheist? The Bible isnt sacred, it's just a book with pages and ink. If you burn it, nothing is going to happen to you.
    BohemianRaspberries
    Community Answer
    Donate it. Even if you think that way, others may take offense if you burn it or say it isn't sacred, so donating it is the best way to go.
  • Question
    When my great grandma passed away I was let her favorite bible. It is very old but half the pages are missing, is it wrong to keep it? This is not something I want to bury burn or throw away.
    MarianJonas
    Community Answer
    If it means something to you, you should keep it and pass it down through the family. The Bible has special meaning in your family, so it would be wrong for you dispose of it.
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