Why do people take the Bible literally???

Question

It is just a story to inspire our souls, allow us to believe and give us faith.

Yes I have read the Bible.

It may be God's word, but God did not write it and it is safe to assume that somewhere over the years the teachings and writings were embellished somewhat to what actually may have taken place and what Jesus may have said.

I understand metaphors and such, but I still want to know why is it that some of you out there take it word for word so literal?

Answer 1

I agree with you. Sometimes taking the Bible literally, and misinterpreting it as well, has caused a lot of discrimination and close-mindedness in a lot of people. I'm not religious, but I respect religion and what it stands for, but it's disappointing to see how people take some things to extremes without giving any thought.

Answer 2

some people actually believe the words are true and that there will be a blissful payoff if they follow it to the letter

some people find hope in the stories and a chance at a better existence especially when they find their current life is not going so well . people find things in bible that help guide them out of dark patches in their lives

some people , alas, get off on being superior ; they think they have all the right answers and that everyone else is wicked or wrong in life simply because they don't place faith in the same stories

some, not many thankfully, believe in it wholeheartedly because their superiors or partents told them not to think about it but just believe without question or thought

Answer 3

You can't take it literal. You have to think about what was going on at the time. Like last night everyone was talking about the girl who raped and the rapist had to marry the girl and pay the father. I took it as if you disrespect another you will immediately pay and be reminded of it for the rest of your life. Others kept saying that's the word of God and i its in the Bible it's true. Yeah the lesson or morale are true but not the event. If your child was raped would you make her marry her rapist? No and God who is so much better than us would not either.

Answer 4

I take the Bible to be the word of God, and if it is the word of God it should be accurate. But there are some things that have been mistranslated to imply it is unscientific. For instance some uneducated believe the World was created in 6 literal "days". When in actuality, a " day" in Hebrew just means period of time. This period could be millions of years. There are some who believe because of miraculous events the bible isn't credible, but God can do anything

Answer 5

Each person must grow spirituality on their own, in their own time. Some can read and understand what is not there and others can only understand what they read. They day I read about it being okay for handmaidens and men to have sex then the wives throwing the poor handmaidens out, I thought, "Whoa. I can't take this literally. Maybe I should be really thinking about this instead of just reading it."

Answer 6

Its not a story...its the Truth. but it isnt meant to be taken literally...are the parables Jesus told meant to be taken LITERALLY? when Jesus was talk about Living Water to the Good Samaritan at the well...that woman thought Jesus was talking about physical water that will let her live forever...Jesus was saying that HE is the water..and as long as u accept Him you will not die, but live eternally, in Heaven, not on Earth. Jesus was speaking metaphorically...so what makes people think that other certain parts of the Bible arent meant to be taken metaphorically. when they say 7 days...some people really believe it was EXACTLY 7 days...a 1000 days for God could be like 1 day for us. who knows?

but the Bible isnt a story made to inspire our souls...its the Truth told to set us free.

Answer 7

You belittle it's Truth right off with the words: "It is just a". Well, it's not just a story.....It is Truth. If God said it and inspired men to write it, then you either believe what God said or you don't. That is how God sees it and is going to judge each of us with. White or black, Heaven or Hell.....there's no middle ground, just as there is no middle place to reside after you die. God bless

Answer 8

Have you read it? It's not "a story". It's a bunch of stuff. Lots of different literary types and styles.

Why do you take a math book literally? Why do you take the phone book literally? We take literally that which presents itself as history or reference or fact. Why would we treat the Bible any different.

The fact of the matter is that Christians don't take the entire Bible literally. When God says he wants to gather us under his wings, we don't think that God is like a bird and has real wings that he wants us to get under. It's a figure of speech. This is the same standard we apply to any other book we read.

The idea that Christians (or some Christians, or any Christians) take the entire Bible literally is simply not true.

Now let's consider your comment. You indicate that we're NOT to take the Bible literally, yet you say it allows us to believe and gives us faith. If the Bible literally tells me what to have faith in and I don't take that literally, how does that give me faith? If the Bible literally tells me what to believe ("Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved...") but I don't take it literally, how will that help me believe?

I think your question is built on a false assumption.

Answer 9

Let's just say that there is no God, and I believe in God. I lose nothing for trying to live by His Word. But now, let's say He is real and His Word is Truth, I have everything to gain, and for the unbeliever, has everything to lose.

Answer 10

Because that is the understanding of the world that best orders and informs their life. Although I have a secular outlook, who am I to tell someone they shouldn't believe in something if it helps them become a better person (respect the rights of others and deal with them honestly)?