2006-10-09 08:29:06 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I’ve read the book several times, and I must say I don’t ‘enjoy’ it. Frankly, when a book is filled with that much hatred, violence, and cultural bigotry, I expect it to at least be entertaining. I’ve always had respect for Jesus, but I cannot reconcile the teachings of Paul with the teachings of Christ, so I find the New Testament to be of little more value than the bloody war-filled Old Testament.
The book as a whole is also quite lacking in the ‘human’ element, as most of the characters in the Bible have very little ‘voice’. They are declared either righteous or wicked with little or no evidence to back up the label and this makes them seem one-dimensional and fictitious. (For instance, I would love to read Mary's story... most of the world bases their calendar on the day this woman gave birth... yet the book says almost nothing about her!)
The Bible also leaves too much room for interpretation, contains several contradictions and redundancies, and is waaaaaaay longer than it needs to be, making it a rather ‘difficult’ leisure read as well as a poor handbook for leading a moral life.
That said, I DO think the Bible is an ‘important’ read, insofar as it has had such a serious impact on the world we live in for the last 1800 years or so. It is one of the few books in existence that helps explain why the world is so very messed up.
2006-10-09 10:16:34 · answer #1 · answered by sueflower 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The Bible absolutely can be read (don't know about "enjoyed") as a literary work. In fact, it is almost necessary to read it as such because so much literature is based on it. Steinbeck uses biblical imagery a lot. Think of MIlton, Dante, Melville....all the great writers draw on the Bible, and if you don't have familiarity with it, you miss a LOT of what they're trying to say.
2006-10-09 15:32:08 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you regard it as being inspired by the Holy Spirit, how could you ever degrade it to the realm of literature?
If you don't regard it as such, enjoy the tapestry throughout it, and I will pray that it speaks to you as it has spoken to a countless number of generations, so that you may encounter it's Author.
2006-10-09 15:38:29 · answer #3 · answered by Jay Z 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not sure 'enjoyed' is quite the right word, but it can be 'appreciated for its sociopolitical role in the history of western civilization' without the religious overtones.
2006-10-09 15:30:58 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Of course, that's what it is and that's how I treat it - a fine piece of human literature - no divinity or religion involved.
2006-10-09 15:39:28 · answer #5 · answered by ? 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It has all the great human actions and reactions in it, it can certainly be enjoyed for it's story telling.
2006-10-09 15:30:29 · answer #6 · answered by Jenyfer C 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Sure, its full of good ole' scary stories that will set your kids straight. Most of the time. If they were true.............
2006-10-09 15:39:26 · answer #7 · answered by wilchy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no because no matter who talks about the bible, they'll always end up saying something about god and how the person should convert
2006-10-09 15:31:12 · answer #8 · answered by gets flamed 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
some people do that
2006-10-09 15:31:10 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes, if you "enjoy" tragedies.
2006-10-09 15:31:53 · answer #10 · answered by buttercup 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋