Isn't the Bible Aesop's Fables?

Question

Fiction intended to teach morality.

Answer 1

Well, no, though I see your point. Aesop was purposefully and knowingly writing fiction, and that does not appear to be the case with the Bible... though the sources of the various ancient texts that make up the Bible are vast, varied, and often contradictory... and we have no means of authenticating authorship.

People have used the Bible, and other sacred texts, for their own purposes throughout history, no question. And, historically, rulers have been wise enough to see the practical aspects of a principled religion, whatever that religion happens to be.

I'll use an ancient example. There was a pharoah who used the religious belief of the ancient Egyptians that cats were demi-divinities in his favor, telling people that they could care for the cats during the day, but at night they should always be with the pharoah (who was also believed to be a divinity in mortal form). This way, every night the pharoah would have countless cats at his disposal... which he put to work in the country's grain silos, hunting mice. In the morning, the cats could go back to their homes.

So there's always opportunity to inject man's word into what is supposedly God's word. Given the period the writings of the Bible come from, and the lack of evidence to back up anything beyond a few verifiable persons and place names, it seems unlikely it was ever anything but man's word to begin with.

Morality is an important part of religion. And religion, for all its flaws in the modern era, was an important stepping stone in social evolution that helped to bring about civilized societies with codes of ethical conduct. I just hope we can outgrow contemporary religions, most of which are living mythologies that still serve as community-strengthening organizations based in peace and love, but which globally cause more harm than good due to the inherent mutual exclusivity in the tenets of most major faiths.

Answer 2

No, it is not just a collection of fictional fables. People have different ideas about what's important about the Bible. Most of the writing in the Bible is a history about the Jews from the origin of the cosmos. On top of that there are over 300 miztvah's or moral prinicples, but they are not organized in any pattern to suggest that they were the purpose of the book. Some people believe that it reveals the Jews as God's chosen people. Others believe that it reveals a chain of prophecies that foretell the coming of the messiah.

Even if you don't believe in anything in particular, it would be well worth your time to read Genesis, Exodus, and the gospel according to Mark so you can have some basis for understanding what other people are talking about regarding the Bible.

Answer 3

Aesops Fables

Answer 4

You can find one of Aesop's fables in the Bible, although Aesop told it about Mercury, and the Bible tells it about Elijah (or Elisha, can't recall)

The story deals with a woodcutter who drops his axe in a river. Mercury/Elijah happenes by, and dives in the river to retireve it. He brings up gold and silver ones, which the honest woodcutter admits are not his. Mercury/Elijah then gives him his original axe, plus the pricey ones. The guy tells his bud who goes down to the river and tosses his axe in. When Mercury/Elijah retrieve the golden one for him, he lies and says its his. Mercury/Elijah then tosses the gold one back into the river and says, basically, you're a big liar and for that you don't get anything.

So if one of Aesop's fables appears in the Bible, they are clearly the same thing, whether Christians can cope with reality (and Ive never met one who could) or not.

Answer 5

yes. his fables were also linked to ancient sumerian legends (origin of old and new testament confabulations)

its odd what blind conviction can do. ie bible written by ten people or something and its all the word of god?????????

Answer 6

no, I don't believe aesop believed in his tales

Answer 7

Nope:)
It's true to the last word.

Answer 8

No, oh great one. It is not