Atheist Paints This 'Offensive' Bible Verse on Truck to Prove Bible is a 'Hateful Piece of Work'

Atheist
Tom Hicks hopes the verse will inspire people to read the Bible - so they can understand just how offensive it really is. WTVR/screengrab

An atheist has emblazoned his truck with an "offensive" Bible verse in an attempt to prove just how "hateful" the Christian faith really is, reveals a new report.

Five years ago, Tom Hicks of Chesterfield, Virginia painted 1 Corinthians 14:34 on the back of his truck: "Women shall be silent and submissive." Along with the verse, Hicks painted on three crosses, the fish symbol and the expression "Read The Bible", reports WTVR.

When asked about the controversial verse, Hicks explained he is an atheist and wants to prove to people that the Bible is a "hateful piece of work".

"The reason I put this particular message on, I want people to read the Bible, I want them to see this message and say is that true," he said. "Right now I don't believe there's a God so I guess you would say I'm an atheist...[the Bible is] a hateful, hateful piece of work which Christians try to turn around and they talk about love."

Hicks told the outlet he's become accustomed to people taking pictures of his tailgate and mouthing obscenities at him. He said he hopes that those who see the verse will be so offended, they'll read the Bible to understand how terrible it really is.

"Hopefully people will read it and learn for themselves, these preachers and priests and ministers, they're making stuff up," he said.

However, Pastor Joey Anthony of Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church told the outlet the verse has clearly been taken out of context -- especially when you actually look at what the rest of the Bible says.

"Jesus really did raise women to a level - where as in that culture they were seen as second class citizens - but Jesus loves all people and he raised women up to a different level, really," he said, explaining that while there is violence in the Bible, there is also love.

"The very person who wrote that passage of scripture in Corinthians, also wrote in Ephesians that husbands are to love their wives just as Christ loved the church, which is an unconditional love, and it's a sacrificial love," Anthony added.

Reverend James Sprouse of Trinity United Methodist Church in McLean told WUSA that the Apostle Paul, the author of the Corinthian epistles, was speaking directly to the people of Corinth.

"As for women being any less than men, even in the Corinth church, that's not what they intended," he said. "Although women weren't supposed to speak in the contest of teaching, (they were uneducated) they were allowed to prophesied. And evidently, they were getting so loud, so boisterous, it's almost like listening to one of the talking head shows on TV where everyone's talking over top of each other."

He added that verse does not mean women need to be silent. "What they were trying to do was get some kind of order and structure to their assemblies together," he said.

Meanwhile, Hicks said he's never thought about taking the scripture verse off his tailgate -- but he has considered highlighting different, equally "offensive" verses.

    Most Popular
  • Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Faith-based films often receive mixed reactions, and The Last Supper is no exception. The movie attempts to bring a fresh perspective to one of the most iconic moments in Christian history, but does it succeed? Some reviews from critics and audiences provide insight into its strengths and shortcomings.

  • ‘The Chosen’ Season 5: The darkest season yet—What to know before watching

    The wait is over—The Chosen is back with its fifth season, and this time, things are getting intense. The new episodes dive straight into the final days of Jesus’ life, covering some of the most emotional and dramatic moments in the Bible. If you’ve been following the series, you already know that The Chosen isn’t just about retelling familiar stories—it’s about bringing them to life in a way that feels real.

  • Massacres in Syria: Over 1,000 dead, including Christians and Alawites

    Syria’s coastal regions have been devastated by a series of massacres, with reports indicating that over 1,000 people—many from Christian and Alawite communities—have been killed in brutal attacks. Entire families have been wiped out, and survivors are fleeing in search of safety as sectarian violence escalates.

  • Kim Sae-ron and Wheesung: The tragic irony of Korean society and the principles of happiness

    Not long ago, the media was in an uproar over actress Kim Sae-ron’s passing. Just months before, the same people who had relentlessly criticized her for her DUI incident were now expressing sympathy, saying, "The world was too harsh on her." The irony is impossible to ignore.

  • Newsboys move forward as a quartet after Michael Tait’s departure

    After more than a decade as the lead singer of the Newsboys, Michael Tait has officially parted ways with the band, marking a significant shift in the Christian rock group’s lineup. The remaining members—Jeff Frankenstein, Jody Davis, Duncan Phillips, and Adam Agee—have assured fans that they will continue forward, embracing a new season of music and ministry.