It is only a book?
I was taught the Bible was the inspired WORD of God. "The WORD of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, joint and marrow and is a discerner of of the thoughts and intents of the heart." Hebrews 4:12 It is our handbook for living.
Inspired means to breathe in...the Bible and its words were breathed in to the men who actually wrote it down. It is not just a book....it is God's heart for mankind...it is His love letter to us. How many people out there cherish the love letters written to them by someone they are in love with?..they put them in carefully selected places so they wont get ruined or lost. How much more should they respect and cherish the love letter God wrote for us.
I'd like you to tell the person who is under penalty of death because of possession of even tiny portions of scripture...that it "just a book"....or those who are smuggling the Bible into communist China...that they are risking their lives for "just a book".
"Green eggs and ham" is just a book....
BIBLE...Basic Information Before Leaving Earth
You miss my point completely. If I was to travel to Saudi Arabia, and my bible was taken and shredded, I would simply buy another one when able. It's A book that can be bought in any book store. What they can NEVER take from me, is the faith and belief I hold in THE bible as the word of God which lives in our hearts and soul. Do you think it's acceptable to take the life of someone who defaces or destroys a bible as Muslims do of the Koran.