Phillip Patterson never thought a comment would send him on a four-year self-discovering journey.
Patterson, from Philmont, N.Y., he has spent up to 14 hours a day copying the King James Bible by hand, writing every verse and chapter in precise cursive.
"I go to bed and close my eyes and feel so incredibly serene," Patterson told the New York Times.
The project began in 2007 after his longtime partner Mohammad, mentioned that Islam has a tradition of writing out the Quran. Patterson said the Bible is too long, but Mohammad encouraged him to do it. It took him on a journey he never would have imagined. He says the experience has taught him about himself and about the Bible.
Patterson says his favorite book to write was the Book of Ruth. He interprets the book as a time when people were loyal and cared about doing the right thing. He said the experience has also helped him become "more patient, more confident, more loving and more open to differences."
"I hadn't counted on the fact that it would end up being beautiful," Patterson told the newspaper. "Or that it would be so exhilarating. And so long."
Patterson first began the project by researching pens and paper, trying to figure what would work best. It took him two years to figure out the perfect technique and in 2009, he sat down at his desk and began to write out every word of the King James Bible.
Patterson, 63, said in an interview that even though he regularly attends church, he never considered himself to be very religious. Health issues, including AIDS and anemia, have slowed down the scriber and at one point he wasn't sure if he would live long enough to finish the project.
But after four years, almost 2,500 sheets of paper and hundreds of pens Patterson is almost with his 800,000 word project. He said hopes to finish writing the last chapter, Revelation, during a ceremony at his church on May 11. Once the pages are bound together the book will be presented to his church.
"Every day as I write, I discover something new and it expands my mind more and more," Patterson told said.
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