How would an atheist design a bible?

We have to remember that the Bible was written in pieces, later canonized, and then translated and reproduced.

This atheist doesn't believe the Bible was written originally to trick people. I think previously existing stories about Ahura Mazda and Mithra, and Osiris and Horus influenced the authors of Biblical texts to develop a similar, yet different, story about Yahweh and Jesus. It doesn't take an atheist, theist, or anyone else to perpetuate the tradition of story telling.

Also consider that these stories were circulating at a time when textual mass production was not possible, and when many people were not literate. Stories therefore traveled primarily by word of mouth, and their original forms altered with each retelling. This might explain why we have similar myths (Horus, Jesus, Mithra) in different times and cultures. It may also explain the contradictions among Biblical texts.

[EDIT]

"Why would a theist claim it was the word of god if he knew full well it wasn't? (the claims in the bible itself i am referring to)"

I still view Biblical authors as just that - authors. Many authors today write works of fiction knowing they are fiction, but stating otherwise in their stories to entertain the reader. The authors of the Bible may have been reproducing or creating stories in the same way for the same purpose. They may have never intended for people to believe they were true. Again, we can't be sure if the authors were theists or atheists, and we can't be sure about their intentions.

Obviously, a theist would have no reason to claim the Bible is the world of god knowing that it isn't - otherwise he/she probably wouldn't be a theist. So you're right; the argument that the Bible was written to trick people is flawed, or at least requires some elaborating by those making the claim. But that doesn't mean the Bible has never been used to trick people.

The Bible was not designed - it's a collection of random writings by different authors put together by church as writings that reflect its teachings. It has no more of a design than an anthology of short stories. If you want to know more about it, read up on Council of Nicea (if I recall correctly).

"Why would you add elements that are near impossible to intellectually conceive?"

You need to judge the book by the people who wrote it. Perhaps to them it wasn't intellectually inconcivable. Obviously even today some people have no problem believing in this stuff.

"Why would you make it difficult for the masses to read it by only allowing the elite a copy?"

And books were extremely expensive at that time, they were handwritten and it took years and years to copy one book, hence no availability. The masses simply couldn't afford it. There was no Barnes and Nobles in those times.

You might want to read the Jefferson Bible too if you're interested what an atheist's take on the Bible would be.

Response to:

"Malutka : I think you missed something about this question. The premise is that if it is not the Word of God it is authored by an atheist even if they did use other sources as an influence"

I must have missed something then. Your premise doesn't necessarily hold true though. I think it was authored by people who genuinely believed in this stuff (hence not atheists).

I think you might be incorrectly surmising that the bible was an original work.

It wasn't.

It was cobbled together by borrowing different myths and fables from other religions and cultures, that the authors believed were effective for controlling behavior.

So, they chose the most effective and well-reasoned (to them) fables to come up with the bible.

That's all the bible is- confusing, contradictory, logically- impossible stories, used to control the behavior of others.

As to your main question-

As an atheist, I'd have no interest in designing a 'bible'

That is an oxymoron. Being an atheistic comes from the term a-theistic, which means not having a religion in layman terms. The Bible is the book of the Lord.

Fulfilled bible prophecies like "there will be wars, and rumors of wars". despite will they think of of next. And smart layout data? pay attention up-if identity labored then the drug businesses could be exploiting it and struggling with one yet another for the patents. There could be identity departments in each good college. This has no longer befell!

First, the book would be titled "Oops!". The first chapter, 500 verses long, would be "Billions and Billions and Billions and Billions and Billions and Billions and Billions and Billions and Billions and Billions and Billions and Billions and Billions and Billions of years ago..."

Chapter 2: There was nothing, and then, it exploded!

This of course is the absolute core explanation in the religion (i.e. faith) of Evolution.

Probably like Thomas Jefferson did. Google "Thomas Jefferson Bible".

"Why would you add elements that are near impossible to intellectually conceive?" It makes it easier to ignore logical arguments against the Bible.

As a Jewish history book

(No God and Genesis)

I wouldn't. What's the point in trying to deceive people or fill them with a sense of fear or false hope?