The stories in the bible, are they actually true or are they just there to show us the correct way to live our lives?
Thanks
2007-06-19 10:38:06 · 26 answers · asked by cleocat 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Thanks for so many interesting answers, I'll leave it to the vote to decied best answer.
2007-06-20 09:55:19 · update #1
They are totally made up. Like Aesop's fables and Greek mythology. Enjoy!
2007-06-19 10:41:58 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 7⤊ 7⤋
There is no 'correct' way to live your life. Anyone who tells you that there is, would like you to live a similar life to them. The bible is full of contradiction and many of the 'truths' can be interpreted differently. This is done purposely. My point is, there are many books out there, and they are full of meaning and guidance, but only you as an individual can decide what you take in and how you are going to let it effect your life....
I'm not going to say that the story is fake as many will be offended I'm sure, only that I've never witnessed a TRUE miracle myself and therefore I don't believe that the story tells the whole truth about the life of Jesus/god/virgin Mary etc.
and that maybe there was a bit of exaggeration going on.
One more thing...... the bible has been updated a few times over the years.... I think that the story does need to be updated sometime soon. Society and Science is changing and developing fast around the world, and well its just needs to be a bit more precise really, don't you think?
2007-06-19 11:02:53 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
OK, where is the truth in a fable. It is pretty easy to show that the bible stories were not written by the people who's names are on them. Moses for example never could have wrote the Pentateuch, especially not his own funeral story.
If you look through the archaeological record the Exodus become obviously impossible. Abraham is rapidly exposed as a myth. Let us not even start on Adam and Eve.
Archaeology also gives us the source stories for The Flood, Creation, Eden, Job and Samson.
So no, the stories are certainly not historical facts in any way.
But as mythology, yes they are just as true as the Greek Myths. They teach about pride and despair, about virtues and vices. So there is some truth in them.
Please keep in mind that the Torah/Bible did not begin to be a written document until about 650 B.C. (after the return of Judah from the Babylonian exile) and it was still being modified in the 1700's A.D.
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Go ahead and thumb down an honest answer, I wonder how small minded people need to be to do that.
2007-06-19 10:52:29 · answer #3 · answered by ? 5 · 3⤊ 1⤋
well nobody actually knows for sure. It comes down to faith. I believe that they are to show us the correct way to live our lives. I have faith but it is more of an internal belief that there is something beyond what we are. Call it god call it whatever you like but no one knows for sure. What i do know is religion has been at the source of many battles and evils. So maybe the question should be is there more beyond what we are and do people use religion as an excuse to fight? After all if we all had our own theories and beliefs, and accepted others may not have the same, would the world not be a much happier place?
2007-06-19 11:03:50 · answer #4 · answered by juicy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Any theologian who has studied will tell you that some of the Bible accounts have the support of other historical documents that tell us they are fact. Examples would be the accounts of King David - accounts of Paul's travels - and many more.
Some Bible accounts are stories based on common myths. The story of the flood that Noah build an arc for is one of those types of stories that is present in many stories of many different faiths. The flood may have happened, but the historical proof is sketchy. Accounts from other faiths are very similar, tho.
To know for sure, it is best to study for yourself.
2007-06-19 10:54:31 · answer #5 · answered by yarn whore 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A mix of both. For instance Jesus often taught in parables. Like the parable of the good samaritan. There wasn't actually a samaritan that got mugged, its just a moral tale. On the other hand there are plenty of stories that are historically documented and yes they are true. So I guess both is the answer to your question.
2007-06-19 11:27:57 · answer #6 · answered by JFinlay925 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Personally I think the Bible is there to help people live their life in a godo way. I.E. without hate, persucution and segregation, which is all it causes nowadays. I must say though I find it highly improbable that Noah did in fact load all 1.2 billion species of animals all onto one boat. Though who knows? Believe what you want, I still think that they are morals. Just my two cents.
-Edit
In response to others I would like to add, that if we really did live our lives literally by the bible we would be worse off. Those who claim to follow the whole truth of the bible most certainly do not.
Exodus 21:7 - And if a man sell his daughter to be a maidservant, she shall not go out as the menservants do.
(That states it is okay to sell one's own daughter into slavery) Do you agree with that? I thought not. The bible has many teachings some are good and wise, others are seemingly cruel in vile in todays world. The bible is a tool to help guide your way through life and in my personal opinion it is nothing more.
Peace.
-Teh_Parret
2007-06-19 10:44:09 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
The bible was written by man not god, this is something you must always remember. People always want to believe in something but find it difficult to believe in themselves and their abilities, choices and weaknesses. In times of adversity and struggles, they always turn to god, this could be a good thing if their situation was resolved, they would always automatically say it was gods doing, but when things continue to go bad or results the opposite the people always say it was the devils work.
We make our own choices and so must either reap the rewards or accept the failure and carry on regardless.
2007-06-19 23:26:45 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
they are true, I'm convinced of it after studying. There is a certain type of studying stories that claim to be truth, to tell if they have a ring of truth to them, and the stories of the Bible fit that.
However, the parables of Jesus are the type that illustrate a point, and help us to live as christians
2007-06-19 22:18:32 · answer #9 · answered by good tree 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
These are true, from the word of God... Look at Revelation.. Look at whats happening now, it tells us in Revelation.. This is really happening.. with all the seasons acting different, with all the commotion with the countries, we are living on the end of time... Just read the book of Revelations. I'm a strong believer and its very interesting
2007-06-19 10:44:03 · answer #10 · answered by Stacey K 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The bible is a collection of stories based partly on history with some fiction and myths. It is full of contradictions, misunderstandings, and political misrepresentations. which were put by people seeking to gain or keep power. You have to take from it what you wish to take and ignore the rest
2007-06-19 11:13:30 · answer #11 · answered by Maid Angela 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋