Regarding religious beliefs, do you believe them as literally true or as important principles based on myth?

Question

It's hard to accomodate whole religions within one question, but what I wish to know is if people's religious beliefs are based on their absolutely being sure that things happened a certain way (historical fact) or regardless of historical truth, perhaps based on principle (or maybe it doesn't really matter either way)?

Thanks to those who have been providing detailed answers. I'm not looking for "yes or no" answers but seeking to understand how people reason about t this matter.

Answer 1

Lol. The fact of the matter is that the lessons are more important than knowing that your savior ate a peanut butter sandwich on Tuesday, 1 A.D. while getting his sandals cleaned....

History *IS* important, but the importance should be reserved for the wisdom that is revealed through the tales, not the exact, and often excrutiating, details. Even Jesus taught in parables... he didn't expect you to *BE* a vine, just behave in a similar fashion.

Answer 2

This is a great question my friend!!

I am a Christian... or so that's what I am labelled!!

Personally I believe the Bible... and I also believe I cannot pick and choose those bits I like, and agree with: and then disregard the rest!!

After saying that... I do not care: or have no concern: if the Lord created the world in 6x24 days: or 6x100 years: or 6x1000 years... nor do I care how long the flood lasted, or how widespread it was: what happened to the dinosaurs? why the unicorn was left behind: etc!!!

What matters to me is: what Jesus said: and did for me on the cross!!! Those things the Lord has proven to me beyond doubt over the last 22 years… & the ‘HERE & NOW!!!

As for the rest… I will find out when I get to heaven and ask!! Hopefully not too soon!!

Answer 3

To each according to their need.

My beliefs must be consistent with a scientific reality and yet accept the unknown: spirit, ethics, thought, other intangibles.

Science can only go so far, at the moment. In time, processes may be developed to allow us to scientifically explore concepts which, now, are considered religious.

Till then, personal experience and intuition guide our personal exploration of the mysterious intangibles.

Faith in books, stories, legends and myths is just one of the ways of getting there. Introversion (searching within ourselves for truth) and Immersion (devoting ourselves to living Life to the fullest) are two others.

Whatever brings us to an acceptance of Love as our primary strength is good. Love for ourselves, Love for others, Love for our world and all Life.

Any faith that rejects the power of Love is a flawed system.

Consider the fourth dimension: Time. Follow a carbon atom in your body back in time. Watch it pass through one living organism after another. Watch it as it returns to the star that gave it birth from protons and neutrons and electrons. Watch those return to the primordial Big Bang event where they (and all other matter) were created.

We are all connected to the universe in ways we barely comprehend. We are connected to each other, and all life on this planet. When we understand this, we Love.

I hope that gives you some idea of what I believe.

Answer 4

relies upon on what you recommend by using "actually actual". Do i think of that each and every thing that the Bible depicts easily befell? No. maximum of it did, however the books of activity, Esther, Ruth, and Tobit are virtually actual fictional (or fictionalized) money owed that incorporate religious truths. the commencing up of Genesis is possibly a surprisingly spiritualized account of what easily befell. actual yet no longer blow by using blow. as quickly as Abraham hits the scene in spite of the shown fact that, i've got self belief it rather lots will become a historical past e book from there until the top of Acts (hopping over the flaws that are patently meant as poetry and awareness texts alongside with Psalms, song of Songs, Proverbs, Sirach, etc... and the books of prophecy). After Acts it somewhat is all Epistles (letters) up until the e book of Revelation that's yet another e book of prophecy. So back, i do no longer understand which version of "actually" you pick responded. Is it significant to have self belief that maximum of it particularly is a real historic record and that the full ingredient is a real religious record? definite. Is it significant to have self belief that each and every single ingredient interior the Bible befell, even issues like activity and Esther? No. As for why you've got self belief the interior the 1st determination, using fact the Bible teaches us a thank you to understand and save on with Jesus Christ's teachings and policies. And if we do those issues we are able to attain salvation and circulate to Heaven sometime somewhat of Hell. The Bible isn't the top all, be all, of Christianity, in spite of the shown fact that it particularly is a needed part of it.

Answer 5

I study the history of the peoples who once worshiped my deities as well as their mythology. My beliefs are based upon the principles in their myths as I can best interpret it. I understand that others will see things differently and do not have a problem with that as I do not believe in any one "true" way to believe that fits everyone.

Answer 6

I base my beliefs on the literal truth. If you fly a plane off course by one degree, you will be one mile off for every 60 miles flown. If you fly from LA to London and are one degree off, you will land in Paris. So you are following a wrong course, you aren't won't get to God.

The truth is not myth. It is more than facts. It is symbolism. If you read the scriptures they use 'types' to teach and to prophesy. Mose held a bronze serpent on a pole to cure the people who would look. This is a type of the crucifixion. God's substitution of a sheep for Isaac/Ishmael is a type for the atonement of Christ.

Answer 7

They could be principles based on myth. That's because nobody was an eyewitness when God created the world. Stories like this were passed on from generation to generations. That's why Christians should get God's message on these stories and not take them all literally.

Answer 8

I am a Protestant, I can not be sure that the words that are written in the Bible are absolute, as I was not there. I do however have faith that they are. I do not know that everything that is written is fact or if some things may be parables. I struggle with this and pray about it. I do believe in God, Jesus, the Holy Ghost, Heaven and Hell. I wish I was capable of answering everything with absolutes, but as we do not live in a world of absolutes, how can I. I simply have faith that God will forgive me my shortcomings and sustain me in this world, he hasn't let me down yet. God Bless!!

Answer 9

Literal Truth.

If it were all simplified, there would be a lot of half-hearted followers. But as it is, a person has to put forth a serious amount of desire and energy to understand the mysteries of the bible… and to come into close fellowship with God.

Answer 10

Not literally true. My education tells me that.

Read "Misquoting Jesus" by Bart D. Ehrman, and "101 Myths of the Bible" by Gary Greenberg.

Those who take the Bible literally have zero education on the history of religion outside of their particular church. They haven't been exposed to real, hardcore theologians.