The Bible is best seen as a story rather than a factual account. Like anything in this world, its value lies in its symbolism. It's a beautiful book if read truly rather than read as a weapon for attack to say "I believe in this!"
There are many times and places where people would have killed you for saying that.
This gets back to context. You interpret things in such a fashion, but many people are horrified by the morality presented in the Bible. “Suffer not a _ to live.” Really that’s just such an uplifting message.
Granted, ignore the inconvenient parts is a very common approach, but if you’re doing that then just be honest about it. Ex: Timothy 2:12 is just not quoted that much anymore, but it used to be tossed around quite frequently.
In the same way one can consider a deeply flawed person beautiful and valuable, surely it's possible to consider the bible a beautiful and valuable book while accepting it's inconsistencies and horrible parts?
The Sermon on the Mount I find beautiful. The general account of Jesus' life too. I also rather like Ecclesiastes and Song of Solomon is basically porn!
