I'd probably bring some kind of field manual with instructions on survival. Military, boy scout, etc.

I have a decent outdoor skillset but there are many skills which I'm only aware exist, but I have never done myself (like smoking meat). I would want the advice of the manual, even if I could eventually figure it out.

I'd bring the thickest book I could get my hands on. The paper would make good tinder if I managed to keep it dry.

For what it's worth, tinder is easy to come by in most environments. Also in those days, you would likely try to never make another fire, and instead keep yours going.

Somewhat true today as well, as firelighting tools are all consumables. Some may light thousands of fires, but still would fail to eventually.

All you need is a lens given a bright day. I used to ignite paper as a kid. It should be possible to use ice as well but it has to be properly shaped and the water to be clear.

Doesn't really seem like ice would be abundant on a desert island.

> If you were allowed one book on a deserted island what book would you bring and why?

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, of course.

Encyclopedia Britanica Book S. Look up survival training and hope it has some useful information. Religion really is interesting to me and I am always curious to those discussing it what their thoughts are on other gods. If you believe in your bible and Jesus and god, and other people believe in their god who is right? Do you believe in more than one god or is this person who believes in another god wrong? How do you know? You don’t actually have to answer me these are just the questions I often wonder when I hear people talking about religion. I used to be religious in the past as we went as a kid. I lost my faith many years later and to this day question religion. Still looking for answers. Have a good day.

Great questions!

Well, Jesus says “I am the way the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father (YHWH or God) but by me.” (John 14:6) So, he is essentially denying that there are other gods other than YHWH and that He is the only path to YHWH.

Christianity is quite unique because it is not a faith based on one’s own good works. So I find it extremely interesting in that regard.

I also think it’s extremely important to be skeptical of all “religion”. Religion is process oriented behavior while I believe faith is not. Church is often confused as a building where people listen to a boring sermon and sing a lame song. The Bible says church is anywhere there are two people who have faith in Jesus as their savior.

Also, there is no way I can convince you of any of this. That’s not the point. I would highly recommend reading the ESV Study Bible’s Gospel (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) and learning more for yourself. Not necessarily to be saved but so that you can be edified on this perspective. I would love to talk more about it!

Those are good questions to ask, but I wonder if you think they only need to be answered by religious people. If someone doesn't believe in some particular god, it is still possible to ask them "Is this other person who believes in that god wrong?" and "How do you know?".

Perhaps a helpful example for showing this is the conspiracy theory concerning Bielefeld in Germany[0]. Is non-belief in Bielefeld any less subject to questioning than belief in it?

Anyway, keep looking for answers, and I wish you a good day too.

[0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bielefeld_Conspiracy

If one has read the Bible it becomes pretty apparent that YHWH, the God of the Bible, claims (and I believe is) the only God and that all other gods essentially aren’t real.

A god is usually thought of a some deity but the meaning is much deeper than that: a god is something one worships. Many people worship money as god, their job or company as god, drugs or sex as god.

But like I said, the Bible makes it very clear that there is only one God (according to the Bible).

The biggest challenge on the island would be loneliness.

While the bible is interesting and insightful, it isn't focused on the question of how to be happy living an isolated life.

I'm not sure there good books on that. Maybe Sara Maitland's book "how to be alone". maybe.

A thick religious text similiar in scope to the Bible is going to be a pretty solid choice regardless of which one you choose. The content of those books generalizes quite well over most of human experience.

Besides, once the immediate needs for survival are met, you can develop techniques to improve your life on your own time. Creating works of literature is an altogether different kettle of fish. In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus merely cites the observation that bread isn't sufficient for living.

The Sermon on the Mount is powerful. But if you really want to read a good book you should try Ecclesiastes. The author reveals the meaning of life.