The Bible as Fiction (translation, Harry Potter, church, Jerusalem)

[deepcynic]

I figured I would start a thread about this concept.

I maintain that it is circular logic to aver that it is the infallible word of God when the only authority for that statement is the book itself.

Men chose what writings went into what is known as the Bible, whatever translation/version you care to name, and they had specific (usually political) reasons for choosing what the did.

What are your thoughts?

[sanspeur]

Originally Posted by deepcynic

I figured I would start a thread about this concept.

I maintain that it is circular logic to aver that it is the infallible word of God when the only authority for that statement is the book itself.

Men chose what writings went into what is known as the Bible, whatever translation/version you care to name, and they had specific (usually political) reasons for choosing what the did.

What are your thoughts?

What is the bible if not fiction? It does have a smattering of history in it, but it's not a history book. It has outdated laws and rules to live by, but I wouldn't call it a "self help" book. Some of the faithful say it contains science, but whatever science it may contain is so old it is useless. There is a lot of fantasy in it like talking animals and so called miracles and such, but it's not in the league of the Harry Potter novels for entertainment value..

I guess I'd have to call it a fantasy, historic fiction novel, but not a very good read at all.

[kdbrich]

Originally Posted by deepcynic

I figured I would start a thread about this concept.

I maintain that it is circular logic to aver that it is the infallible word of God when the only authority for that statement is the book itself.

Men chose what writings went into what is known as the Bible, whatever translation/version you care to name, and they had specific (usually political) reasons for choosing what the did.

What are your thoughts?

The thing is...it's not just one book. It's a collection of books. The fact that they testify to each other is the thing. If we did come up with another source, you could just say it's all circular logic because THAT source is part of our scriptures.

If you don't want to believe...we can't make you.

[Huckleberry3911948]

its literature, designed to teach moral lessons. its not a history book. i think calling it fiction falls short of accurate as jerusalem is not an imaginary place nor was rome.

[rifleman]

Originally Posted by kdbrich

The fact that they testify to each other is the thing.

As I recall, historically it's been significantly edited for content and continuity several dozen times now, with a lot of the original stuff (Which probably did in fact conflict) removed or smoothed over.

Any good editor can make a book look convincingly good, but unfortunately for them, their knowledge of science (simply as a tool for reliably analyzing highly improbable claims) was non-existant. Back then in the intellectual dark ages, they thought that if they just said it, people would just believe it.

They also had some excellent means of persuasion back then which are not generally available to the avid Christian proselytizer now (stonings, torture, ex-communication, etc etc.) [The Muslims, though, they still stone or shoot the opposition. For now... Ain't tyrannical ignorance grand?].

Too bad, huh? Life would be so much easier for the Church if it could just "eliminate" the opposition!

[nwcountrygal]

Oppostion is the key to doing all of this .............. don't get it personally.

I don't call myself as a athesist nor a believer in any relgion. a spirutalist beleiving in all.......

The Bible even in the Lurthern church I grew up in was a teacher of morals and values. I believe that a cult member from years ago I talked to said it was the fishermans Bilble but moved on...I donn't believe in a cult --- question a commune isn't the way or a society that moves together isn't the way to be self sufficenttic but ...

Out so many family members dieing last year I am happy for them they believed in what they believed to die knowing in what they believed....where they were gonna go etc...

Each of us has a choice of belief and deciding on none is the only thing as wrong....

[DaniMae1]

Originally Posted by Huckleberry3911948

its literature, designed to teach moral lessons. its not a history book. i think calling it fiction falls short of accurate as jerusalem is not an imaginary place nor was rome.

Yes morals...like staying cutting off your wife's hand if she clocks another guy in the nads trying to protect you...oh and let's not forget the stoning of all the bad kids...gotta love that one. And my favorite is Solomon and his shining example of manhood, ya know all his wives and concubines. Every good man of god needs to have 900 women to do.

[scarmig]

I remember when I was in high school and my English teacher did a week on Bible as literature. She asked the question, "If we view the Bible as literature, what does the fruit that Adam and Eve ate symbolize?"

I think I shocked some of my classmates when my hand went up and I replied, "SEX! And the serpent that tempted her is a penis."

Got an A. Didn't make many friends.

[Spotted1]

Originally Posted by Huckleberry3911948

its literature, designed to teach moral lessons. its not a history book. i think calling it fiction falls short of accurate as jerusalem is not an imaginary place nor was rome.

Forks, Washington is a real place, but that doesn't mean The Cullens are real.

[Mercury Cougar]

Originally Posted by kdbrich

If you don't want to believe...we can't make you.

Too bad ya'll won't take that to heart and stop trying.