If the bible is a book of fiction, why has it continue to make an impact on this world?

Question

I will not give any comments on my beliefs. Note: I don't believe in that fairly tale called evolution(Species evolution is different matter). Have you seen a "LIVE" event of that "faith"?

Answer 1

For pretty much the same reason professional wrestling continues to be popular, despite most people knowing it's fake.

A lot of people need an external source of inspiration that "the good guy will always prevail" and "all the wrongs in the world will eventually be righted, and the bad guys will be punished".

It's also human nature to want to believe that whatever group or movement the person is part of is the "good guys". Take the US situation in Iraq, for example. For several years most Americans were willing to overlook the misrepresentations of their government about the situation, about Iraq's WMD capabilities, etc., because they so strongly wanted to believe in their view of the US as the world's "moral cowboy".

The storyline doesn't need to be true for many people to believe it, it just needs to satisfy that part of human nature.

Btw, I'm not necessarily implying that the Bible is fiction, though I personally believe that. I'm just saying that the Bible also satisfies the same elements that fictionalized propaganda does-it appeals to the human desire to believe that "I'm on the side of the right and just, and good will always triumph over evil eventually".

Answer 2

Zig, wow. So you are talking about writing a tesis based on the bible to answer the question of if the bible is a work of fiction or not? That's a little bit off. I think the big problem is that you seem to be unable to support much of what the bible says without quoting the bible itself.

It just seems to me that there is a little bit of lack of logic on that idea.

Also, you wrote that the bible isn't fiction because it's old, hasn't been destroyed, and it isn't in the fiction section of the bookstores? Zig, I would be very surprised it you don't realize that such statement doesn't make any sense.

Would you agree that it is a good argument to say that the Odyssey (A book that hasn't been destroyed and was written around 800-600 BC) is true because it isn't in the fiction section of the bookstore? Or did I really misread you?

I am not saying the bible is a book of fiction or not, I respect your beliefs and I am happy you feel so much interest in something, but with so weak arguments you cannot convince any one (which doesn't matter too much if that is not what you are trying to do).

You have created "a logic" from an ilogical argument, and if in your post you were trying to convince anyone that the bible actually exist... well, I recommend you to re-think your strategy.

Answer 3

The Lord of the Rings made a big impact on geeks the world over, Harry Potter has gotten a lot of kids interested in reading, both were definitely works of fiction. The main reason why the bible influences so many people, is because they see a lot of other people influenced by it and they jump on the bandwagon. Of course, Christians had to kill about 100,000 people to get people so interested in the bible, but what the hey. They don't even acknowledge that happened today, or they try to justify it. A lot like what modern neo-nazis do with the Holocaust.

Answer 4

The Bible is written like a good fairy tale with many well developed plots, irony, suspense, murder - all the things that we read about in our leisure time. Now, combine this with the fact that Christians continue to believe it is the unaltered word of God, and Muslims believe that it was the word of God, but has been altered (and Christianity and Islam being the largest religions in the world), this makes the Bible a very influential book. As a Muslim, I believe we can take many lessons from the bible as long as we make sure it aligns itself to the Holy Qu'ran.

Answer 5

Because of the way it has been so violently enforced by it's followers. The only reason it has survived through the many huge scientific advancements is that the people who have gained power by exploiting it had already made a strong power base amongst the masses who had liked the idea that there will be a heaven after the end of their terrible lives. I don't think you can link a books impact to whether it is true or not.

Answer 6

funny, i never even dreamed of comparing the bible to harry potter or star wars.. wizard of oz.. though you might find similar spiritualistic or conceptual things in the stories.. the original word is the only one getting twisted.. Bible was there way before Koran.. and if Islam is true, why then their main prophet is still in his grave, and the lesser great prophet Jesus (according to Islam) is risen?? Trinity?? plenty of support in the Bible.. but just because it doesn't fit in a human brain, does this mean that it isn't true.. "this is my son behold him??" some might say this is contradicting to the old testament where God tells us to be monotheistic.. but others just read it for what it is.. Jesus always recieved praise... Even ANGELs didn't do this.. Is a prophet greater than an angel?? anyway, atheists call the bible a book of fiction because they don't believe in God.. who classifies Bible as a fiction?? i never saw this book in the library as fiction, it has its own section!!!! so.. flawed classification for one.. like someone said, bible has been tried to be destroyed for many centuries.. but sorry.. that's not happening..because it is the WORD of GOD.. that's why.. because it is the TRUTH.. read it and say it's not true... you will find answers to any question you have in the Word.. if you are willing.. skeptical readers don't really look for answers. they just try to disprove something.. anyway, i could write a thesis.. but i don't have a Bible in front of me.. lol.. have fun.

Answer 7

Because Christians don't think. Those who think convert to other religions.

1) Don't question/think. If they cannot understand some concepts like 'original sin' or 'trinity' they just say "we've finite knowledge and cannot understand certain concepts... thus we should just believe blindly". These are the peole who do not ask questions if something isn't making any sense to them. Those who do ask questions and do think....CONVERT OUT OF CHRISTIANITY!

2) Many options. Another reason is that there are sooooo many different sects that you can easily find one (or create one) that match your beliefs....

3) Easy: Another reason is you dont' have to follow all the rules of the Bible in order to go to heaven. All you gotta do is believe that Jesus died so that you can go to heaven.

4) Inheritance. Just passed down from parents...Parents implant it all in your brain and then you just grow up with it and because you're soooo used it, it's hard to change your beliefs even when they don't make any sense.

Answer 8

Why did "Uncle Tom's Cabin" make such an impact?

How about the Harry Potter series? People are reading that world wide.

Or what about George Orwell's books? His name has even been turned into an adjective. (orwellian)

Or what about Star Trek and Star Wars? Both inspired people to be more interested in science and outer space.

Answer 9

as far as evelution, yes on the geloptico islands, as far as a book of fiction, man inhertily needs to believe that there is a reason for them to be here because lets face it it's not nice to know that you are an accident. that your exsistance means nothing but to live and procreate. man also needs to know their not alone, the worst fear of man is loneliness, i believe that if man thought that hell would be an internaty of loneliness they may not sin so much. or disregard the laws of god and jesus such as in the bible being permiscues and such, christians know their own book is fictional otherwise they would live by the laws rather then interprate them to their own lifestyles, such as smoking, drugs, sex other then procreation, as well as other laws the christains break all he time. the reason it impacts the world is because humans are afraid they are afraid to live they are afraid to die they are afraid and there fore they have to believe in something that offers further exsistance after death and that is what the book promises if you follow the laws of the book. good mind control the churches have over the masses hah?

Answer 10

Actually, its just a book. It makes no impact. It is PEOPLE who insist on beleiveing that this book of fables is the literal Word of God that have an impact on the world. A negative one at that.

What good comes from openly condemning homosexuality in church?? None - it seeks only to concretely embed in the minds of the parishoners that homosexuals are evil people - nothing more. Why the need to preach at all about homosexuals in church?? Allegedly, none of you Christians are gay, so isnt this preaching to the choir, so to speak??