The importance of not taking religious texts literally?

Question

Interpretation of religious texts is important, especially nowadays, because it is the only way against fundamentalism and the only way to a true spiritual life. Do you agree?

Answer 1

Not sure what you mean by fundamentalism in this question. But, the bible is read and believed the way it was written. Even if it contradicts peoples foolish belief systems. If you want to edit it to fit an agenda then it will become a cult. You'd have thousands of interpretations according to whoever you wanted to follow. There is a mainstream Christian church who believe it as it was taught thousands of years ago. Nothing in science or philosophy has changed the facts which in of itself is amazing. If nothing today has been able to change the facts as they were written thousands of years ago then I doubt we'll ever see that happen. Take a look around you, more than ever there is confusion, mostly coming from the scientific community.

Answer 2

In a sense I do agree. The Bible did not fall from the skies. The books in the Bible were written after his crucification. If you live as if there is a God and you find out there isn't one you will still have lived a grand life, and if there is a God then you are the winner. Jesus spoke in parables, in order to make us think about what is right and what is wrong. We were given a brain and I think God meant for us to use them for the good of all. Saying you are a Christian doesn't necessarily mean you are. What is within your heart is really all that counts. We should be tolerant of all religions and hope that other's are tolerant of our's. So many people have died over this question: Was Jesus the son of God or just a prophet? What matter's is in the way you choose to live your life

Answer 3

Indeed. But Jason also has a good point to con-sider; Yet both biblical literalism and (his) human secularism are dead ends.

If you're here, you've agreed to play.
In every sort of virtue-all reality learning game,
the level of deceit (difficulty) increases as you go on.
Perhaps it's the same with the game of life or death,
(which is to "allegory" say the game of grace or law)
where the safety switch is off to make it more realistc.

I'd suggest get hot or cold, as lukewarm not acceptable:
Not with a law God on high nor with a grace God higher;
and humpty dumpty de-fault goes to "law worketh wrath",
and 1Thess 5:3 aptly describes you can't uncrack an egg.

Here's a picture of 'cold', the 'cup' many x-ians will offer you:
http://www.weather.com/newscenter/slideshow/katrina2.html

Ppl, it's neither "time past" nor "last days".
We've already had two "last days"(plural).
Which things are an "allegory": Galatians 4.
http://www.godshew.org/Allegory.htm

It's now beyond 2000AD, which is "the last day".
The prophetic "third day" is also the seventh day.
The seventh day (Sabbath) is notably "the last day".
http://www.godshew.org/ThirdDay.htm
http://www.godshew.org/RevelatorySermons19.htm

Perhaps Easter 07 is a good time to re-think crucifixion,
if the will of God is "I will have mercy, and not sacrifice",
and the "not sacrifice" part is not then, not now, not ever,
and do the will of God PRECEDES receive the promise.
http://www.godshew.org/GodShew4.htm

It's 2007AD-> only goes one way, unto the end.

Only what began can end.
His Grace has neither begin nor end.

The GRACE of our Lord Jesus Christ with you all. Amen.

Answer 4

you've unearthed a load of contentious wossnames there, have not you?? this is totally puzzling to describe what you think with out coming for the period of as arrogant/unreasonable/in spite of, because the fellow you're conversing to (of route) doesn't believe it. you grants data, although this is fullyyt as a lot as each and each human being no matter if or not they're prepared to settle for it or no longer - the 'data' comes from interior of, because it were. The Bible began to be written about 1513 B.C.E. via Moses, a authentic historic man or woman, then yet another 39 different writers finished it. curiously, some aspects of it were got here across written on fragments of scrolls that were scientifically dated to round 2 hundred years earlier Christ - and those scrolls contain prophecies that were fulfilled even as he walked the earth. data of Divine authorship? you're accurate abouth the worsening decline in morality today, too - this become foretold contained in the Bible besides, did you understand? As were the will develop in warfare, famine, ailments, even earthquakes (which have better via something ridiculous like 400% over the merely accurate century). the reason there are this style of large volume of religions is quite straight forward, extremely - the most suitable position to disguise something is between a great number of similar issues, isn't it? evaluate what religions practice and practice to what the Bible easily says, and also you'll discover that maximum of them are hypocritcal troublemakers, with extra blood on their fingers than can ever be expunged. that is sad that the very those who're meant to be 'enlightening' humanity are the very ones who're most ideal us faraway from the truth. I wish you each and each of the most suitable on your search for! playstation Have a note with Jehovah's Witnesses next time you spot one - they have were given some exciting guidance

Answer 5

Did you know that 35% of Americans think the Bible is literal.

One in three people think the world is around 10,000 years old, that people used to live 900 years, that there was a worldwide flood, that the Red Sea parted, that snakes talk, that God killed a million people, etc, etc.

I think if you are just looking for a message because you're lost then sure religion is okay as long as you don't take it literally, but if you do i have one word for you.

C'mon!

C-MON!

Answer 6

No. What is the point of being religious and not being a fundie?
Although some texts should not be literally taken but even fundies do not do that with every one.

Example: turn the other cheek. Does that mean you shouldn't defend yourself? No. It means avoid a fight if possible.

Answer 7

Disagree. Either the book says what it says, or it doesn't. Either the book is the believer's instruction manual, or it isn't.

I don't see much room for interpretation there, unless you define "interpretation" to mean "picking and choosing the verses I like and ignoring the rest."

Say what you will about fundies, they're the only ones who actually follow the book -- their favorite parts, that is -- so IMO that makes them the only honest believers out there.

Answer 8

Yes. That is an important clue for the Catholic Church to drive their evolution and adaptation to a society with more access to information and higher knowledge. Otherwise science will be a constant enemy of the church... when it could be the greatest friend.
The Bible was not meant to be a source of education. It is a compilation of written "verbal" communication.

Answer 9

Yes. The main point of the Bible for instance, is not in the story of Creation, but in Jesus' teachings. People focus too much on the wrong thing, and I think it's because they feel they need to take the bible literally.

Answer 10

yes
you see though, that if a person draws a conclusion of a particular passage that creates a contradiction with another passage, then the understanding is innaccurate. when one reads the bible, understanding must take into consideration, all of the verses, not just the ones we prefer.

contradictions do not exist, period. if, whether one is studying religion or any other topic, one has what appears to be a contradiction, then this one must go back and look at the evidence again, because he has one or more of his parameters wrong.