Does the Bible call Atheists fools?

[Jester]

It came up in another thread that there was some disagreement over the translation of Psalm 53:1, which (in clasic King James) is:

The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: there is none that doeth good.

It has been presented (by myself), that "There is no God." should be translated as "No, God." My reasons for doing so will be listed in the first response.

The official question, then: What is the most accurate translation of this verse?

[Jester]

I have already posted why.
Either way, does it matter? There are thousands of verses in the Bible that hinge on interpretation.

It seems to pose a bigger problem for the people who claim there is a set doctrine in the Bible and wisdom from God, rather than the people who determine it is mythology.

"there is no god" or "no, god". How would that change the doctrine that is being taught by a majority of churches? And what does it say about all those pastors claiming to preach the truth?

It seems that settling on doctrine is hardly the non-believers problem. It appears there is a rift in Xianity that needs mending before people start preaching.

I'm aware that you won't be able to respond, but (in case you decide to read on) I thought I'd comment that these are important questions. I agree that there is an enormous range of beliefs within Christianity. In fact, that was partially my point - I personally don't like the fact that so many (Christian and non-Christian alike) seem to believe that there is only one way to look at the Bible.
So, I think I'll skip the debate and leave it on a point of agreement.

[Word_Swordsman]

I have already posted why.
Either way, does it matter? There are thousands of verses in the Bible that hinge on interpretation.

It seems to pose a bigger problem for the people who claim there is a set doctrine in the Bible and wisdom from God, rather than the people who determine it is mythology.

"there is no god" or "no, god". How would that change the doctrine that is being taught by a majority of churches? And what does it say about all those pastors claiming to preach the truth?

It seems that settling on doctrine is hardly the non-believers problem. It appears there is a rift in Xianity that needs mending before people start preaching.

I'm aware that you won't be able to respond, but (in case you decide to read on) I thought I'd comment that these are important questions. I agree that there is an enormous range of beliefs within Christianity. In fact, that was partially my point - I personally don't like the fact that so many (Christian and non-Christian alike) seem to believe that there is only one way to look at the Bible.
So, I think I'll skip the debate and leave it on a point of agreement.

By far the majority of disagreements between Christian sects centers around two main problem areas. The most divisive is omission of verses and entire passages from readings due to disagreement on the basis of Society v. God. Modernists simply multiply annually that will not accept what God has to say about some social issues. When a congregation becomes internally split over something like ordination of a homosexual, half the congregation simply dismisses the Bible prohibitions as applicable to some other society or generation, while those retaining the scriptures as literal and still applicable begin to divorce the other half or vice versa.

Much of the rest of division comes about from addition of man-made doctrines that often have nothing to do with what the Bible says, particularly in the area of church liturgy, presbyteries, and politics. If looking at articles of faith of the various denominations it should become apparent there is very little if any reason for so many divisions. It isn't mostly a Bible problem, but one of people problems that can't be resolved under the same roof. I think of most divisions as purging of the false from the true believers, letting those departing from time honored Bible based traditions move in together elsewhere.

[Jester]

By far the majority of disagreements between Christian sects centers around two main problem areas. The most divisive is omission of verses and entire passages from readings due to disagreement on the basis of Society v. God.

Much of the rest of division comes about from addition of man-made doctrines that often have nothing to do with what the Bible says, particularly in the area of church liturgy, presbyteries, and politics.

I have definitely seen these problems, though I would like to add some things as well. Not only have I noticed these problems separately from scripture, but in conjunction with it as well. We Christians are not only guilty of ignoring scripture, but of abusing it. Generally, I’d say that we must be careful of assuming a passage is literal when it serves our purposes, and figurative when it does not.