Do you view the bible as you would any other piece of literary work or do you use it to live by?

Question

i personally see it as a literary work. i don't agree with religion. i am not here to be judged by you; i just wanted to see your opinions.

Answer 1

If I had to choose a genre. The bible would in the fiction/fantasy category. Enough said, lmao.

Answer 2

I treat the parts that were meant to be allegorical or symbolical as just exactly that -- literary devices used by ancient writers to make a particular point. There are also many passages which are intended to be taken literally, and those I accept at face value.

I will add a caveat that some passages cannot be removed from the social and cultural setting of the time in which they were written. For example, slavery is no longer an acceptable or legal practice in most modern cultures, so quoting those verses to discredit the rest of the Bible is ridiculous. The same thing is true of Jewish dietary practices. Modern sanitary conditions have changed drastically, and the restrictions against pork (trichinosis) and shellfish (food poisoning) are no longer necessary.

The bottom line is that Christ fulfilled the Law, and we are no longer under its demands. Understanding the true meaning of the Bible involves prayer and guidance from the Holy Spirit.

Answer 3

A literary work with a special historical significance. The King James Bible was the only book many people owned for a long part of American history. When they traveled west, they took a Bible even if they took no other book. Even some slaves owned Bibles and learned how to read using them. It was, at the very least, the one book most of the American public had in common. Even those who did not believe in it got familiar with a lot of it, just because Bible quotes were used so much in literature.

But no, I do not consider it a set of rules to live by. Indeed, there is enough contradiction in it that I do not see how anyone could.

Answer 4

Actually, I view it as less than most other books. The bad writing, endless contradictions, lack of coherent plot or other literary devices, and inherent hokiness make it less interesting than even the latest Harry Potter book.

And no, I've never read Harry Potter, because it looks like a REALLY stupid series.

Answer 5

I'm not into religion at all. I see it as a good story. Actually, it's not even that good. Repetative, really. I think there might be something, like a higher power maybe, but not Jesus Christ or God. I was raised in a Christian family but I do not follow their beliefs.

Answer 6

It's way more boring than most literary works.

Answer 7

I try to live by it, but I myself am a sinner by nature - so the best answer I can give you is that I try to base my life on the way the Lord directs me.

Answer 8

The bible needs to be renamed to "The Big Book of Christian Mythology' ...... that really is all it is, no different than ancient Greek or Roman mythology.

Answer 9

I believe the Bible to be the word of God, as far as it is translated correctly. I also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.

(The D&C and Pearl of Great Price are God's word too)

Answer 10

I could not possibly live by such an elitist, hateful book. I don't even really like it as lit.