you can translate the bible to whatever you think it should mean?? isnt that vague?
2007-07-18 11:11:08 · 28 answers · asked by slopoke6968 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I wish you would elaborate on this a bit please, I'm not sure what your talking about. But, people have read into scripture,
what they want to believe forever.
2007-07-18 11:17:50 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I always say the Bible is like an ink-blot test. You read into it whatever you will. Maybe you're guided in your interpretation by some sleazy Sunday School teacher; maybe you actually believe that everybody in your particular church shares the same interpretation - the "right" one - but inevitably every "Christian" reinvents the religion for himself based on his own reading of Scripture.
And yes, that's certainly true of every book - but the Bible claims to be special. The Bible claims to be the absolute and universal authority in all matters moral and spiritual. That's why the contradictions in the Bible are such a point of contention. How can an absolute authority disagree with itself?
The Bible is also lengthy and diffuse enough that it really IS possible to find a text to justify literally ANY conceivable position on anything, as well as its contradictory. After all, it was written by dozens of different authors in different circumstances, across many centuries. It's hardly surprising that there is little continuity from one book to the next.
2007-07-18 11:17:23 · answer #2 · answered by jonjon418 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There is a difference between translation and interpretation. Translation is a linguistic exercise where we take what was written in one language and put it in another langugae in a form as close to the first as possible. Intepretation is about exploring ambiguities within any one language to understand various meanings in a text.
Granted different people have different interpretations about lots of things in Bible (after all it's what makes the site fun!) But there's nothing "convenient" about it... vive le differance, I say (or however you'd like to translate that... lol)
2007-07-18 11:18:15 · answer #3 · answered by Bryan A 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Aren't most things in life pretty much the same? We all relate our own experiences, our own knowledge and our own intuition in everything that has any meaning to us. The words used in a political speech, a passage in a book, a poem, a movie, even a news article...all of these mean different things to different people. It's part of the human experience.
The Buddhists would say that the path is different for each person. I think there is real truth in that.
******
Now, see, I interpreted what you wrote and many people are interpreting the question differently. I may have been wrong...although I know I read the word "translate", I assumed you meant "interpret" instead. I'm not sure if I interpreted your question as you intended now. :D
2007-07-18 11:14:11 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Practical is what I'd call it. I 'm not saying it cannot be interpreted by someone manipulative into controlling the ignorant, (It happens all the time with any religion). But if you were to write a book on how to be a good person, you would not be able to use rules and laws because Ethics and Morals are not governed by laws bu conscience. What might be acceptable behavior in one culture may be taboo in another. Who's to say what's definitely right and wrong? My mum in her day was not allowed to wear shorts to play sports because it was taboo. Look at things now.
2007-07-18 11:19:02 · answer #5 · answered by Expans1on 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Better than the Islamic way, where there is one way, or you get in trouble. They still believe every single word is absolutely true, and they have a large part of the Old Testament as part of their holy book. All those things people tease Christians about that Christians gave up doing a long time ago?
Still done in Islam, still considered right and proper.
Better that they've gained the flexibility and willingness to examine other meanings than to be all agreed and lock-step. Don't discourage it.
2007-07-18 11:16:03 · answer #6 · answered by mckenziecalhoun 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You can not translate the Bible to whatever you think it should mean. The Bible has one meaning. Some individuals use other meanings for their own purposes such as quotes used by atheists
2007-07-18 11:16:59 · answer #7 · answered by Truth is elusive 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
People translate the bible how they want to meet there needs, that doesn't mean its true or right. God will deal with those that use his word inappropriately. There is only one true translation to scripture, you have to pray and ask that god will show you the true meaning behind them.
Matthew 7:7 Ask and it shall be given unto you, seek and you shall find, knock it it shall be opened unto you.
2007-07-18 11:18:29 · answer #8 · answered by TIMOTHY R 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
That's why we have 30,000 different Christian religions.
That's also why right in the bible it says the church is the pillar of truth - and the church is based on traditions that go back to the apostles that were with Jesus. That's why the Catholic church considers itself more complete than the protestant churches out there.
2007-07-18 11:17:24 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
The Bible is a personal love letter to you from God. It applies to everyone in a different way.
You INTERPRET it according to your needs. That is my belief.
2007-07-18 11:25:54 · answer #10 · answered by batgirl2good 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Very!!! So how is it that U want to twist it for Today??? Will U be Using Greek, Hebrew, Aramaic, Chaldean, Latin or a "Spiritual Language" so that I need a "Translator"??? John
2007-07-18 11:17:02 · answer #11 · answered by moosemose 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋