Ah, theology....the never-ending discussion in the Christian community...ever-changing...ever evolving due to modern perspectives on old ideas.
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As a former Christian, I'll throw in my two cents:
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From a Christian perspective, they call it "The Good Book"...so you're not likely to find a Christian that will call it evil.
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Your argument appears to be that it is better to sin in ignorance, than to have knowledge of that sin in order to avoid such evil behavior. Informing someone of their wrong-doing allows them to change their behavior, so that they do not sin in the future. Leaving them in ignorance leaves them in sin. If sin is evil...and evil things must be avoided...then how can it be morally correct for a Christian to leave people to that evil when they can prevent it?
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Now, *IF* the sins of the ignorant are ignored (more on this later), then it is purely a matter of the convenience of the sinner to leave them in ignorance...and if god hate's sin, convenience isn't exactly a compelling argument for allowing someone to live in sin.
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For example: If someone kills, but is ignorant of the sin...are they better off not knowing? Is the world better off not telling them? In a world of ignorant people, the blind lead the blind over a cliff.
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Your argument is a bit like blaming the existence of law for a punishment/consequence...because perpetual amnesty based upon ignorance would be so much easier on the individual. (How many criminals today would love to take advantage of that sweet deal?
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Now...a major component of your query is whether or not the ignorant are culpable for their sins:
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By thinking that they aren't, you're most likely referring to this quote:
"If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin. Now, however, they have no excuse for their sin." John 15:22
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Theology can be interesting at times, because there is so much room in the bible for different opinions. How about this quote:
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"All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who sin under the law will be judged by the law. For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God's sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous." Romans 2:12-13
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If it is only the righteous who enter heaven...then where does that leave the ignorant? Does it really leave them better off...or does it still leave them going to hell?
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Or how about this one:
"That servant who knows his master's will and does not get ready or does not do what his master wants will be beaten with many blows. But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked." Luke 12:47-48
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Apparently the ignorant are still punished...just not as much. They aren't held to the same standards...but that doesn't mean that they aren't held to SOME standard. (The old testament would be far more harsh, but we'll ignore that for now)
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Pick your parable....biblical theology is often the art of choosing the words you prefer to hear, and twisting them to fit your own beliefs. An easy thing to do when commands aren't given directly (as is often done in the old testament), but are rather spoken indirectly in parable (as is more frequent in the new testament).
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Now...the bible does prescribe a means of atonement for those who sin in ignorance. In the old testament that would be found in Leviticus 4. In the new testament, the exact means would be debatable, but still possible.
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Though I do admit...it is interesting to point out that "in the beginning" apparently god was just fine allowing Adam & Eve to live in ignorance...and to sin in that ignorance. (reading later in the old testament, nakedness is seen as a sin) It wasn't until they ate of the tree of knowledge, and that they knew of good and evil, that god appeared to have an issue with their actions.
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So to answer your question...to a Christian believer...no, the bible can never be evil, because to them it is the word of god...who can't be evil, because he is innately good. Or, on your other vein of thought...to put it simply...there is a difference between "sin" and "consequence". Sin is evil no matter what. Sin harms others no matter whether done in ignorance or not. Knowledge and "Consequence" are put there to help avoid sin...because sin is evil. Because of this, knowledge and consequence...cannot be seen as evil..as they directly oppose what is sinful/evil. And therefore the bible which provides us with such, cannot be evil.
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Now...that's a christian perspective that you asked for. My agnostic perspective would probably be a bit more mixed and nuanced....and hard as it may be to believe...far more lengthy.
