How many of you think the bible should be taken seriously?

Question

Just curious what percentage of this section believes the bible is to be taken literally, what percentage thinks it must be read between the lines, and what percentage thinks the bible is not to be taken serious at all

I ment to say literally, not seriously ....

Answer 1

Literally, no, but it is a culturally significant work. We can't discount it even if we don't subscribe to the religions it supports.

It has an important place in history. those who have been inspired by it are notable. Also is the art and other literature that it has inspired. Think of the vampire and werewolf stories, Dante's work, even Shakespeare and da Vinci have been inspired by it.

I personally enjoy the Bible when allowed to interpret the text, metaphorically there's a wealth of insight. There is wisdom and stories of strength and endurance. And it also displays the amazing imagination of ancient people.

I believe we should always regard the Bible as sacred text even if we don't believe the Biblical premise of a God.

Answer 2

I think that the Bible should be taken seriously and literally. God put everything that needed to be in the Bible in the Bible, so if the creator of the universe designed a book to be taken seriously it should be. about literally, I think yes...for the most part. When Jesus says, "I am the vein" He did not mean that He was a vein, He was speaking figuratively. Pretty much, if you read the Bible in context and use common sense, then yes the Bible is supposed to be taken both seriously and literally. :]

Answer 3

I don't know about "seriously", but I would not take it "literally". I think that, like the Gita and the Upanishads, the Tripitaka and the Koran, they are inspired by the great Whole or Being that is the universe and all things in it.

Is it necessary to believe in Adam and Eve - not at all. In fact, it may be detrimental to believe in Adam and Eve as it could cause you to miss the point of the "story". Take it seriously, not literally.

Answer 4

The Bible can not be taken literally. The writers of the Bible were not that spiritually enlightened and did not understand what God was revealing to them. Moses actually thought God wanted sinners stoned to death. Jesus had to come and straighten the record out. He taught a totally different philosophy. Either Moses was right or Jesus was. I'll choose Jesus's word.

Answer 5

i think the bible is a great piece of literature.
it has faced the test of time, and is a great book in many translations.

it is also a good book as a guide for many people as to how to live their lives.

but it is not a factual representation. it is myth, and story, and it was written with good intention, for a simpler society thousands of years ago.

it bothers me that people can't see it as that, a guide book, not as a 100% factual history.

we all have seen that most of the gospels in the new testament were written no earlier then 50 or 60 years after the death of christ.

so how can such small details be held as actual events.

Answer 6

I do not believe it is possible to literally "take it literally." It's too inconsistent, and also inconsistent with known science and history. But seriously, in the sense that it has been hugely influential throughout history, or at the very least since Gutenberg made it fairly easy to get, yes. I think we need to take it and its influence very seriously indeed.

Answer 7

There is a difference, to me, between seriously and literally. I take it seriously but I also know that some of the content is parables to be a lesson to learn. I do think that it was inspired by God, but it has been translated by man.

Answer 8

1. Bible or scripture?; they are not the same currently in USA (usually).
2. Take scripture literally (excluding metaphors and similes)? Yes; I just do not take it literal only in this life presently to God's glory!!!

Answer 9

I think there are a lot of people here who take themselves seriously. And far, far too seriously, i would hasten to add.
Oh yeah. The question. Not literally.

Answer 10

I believe it's a historical account of events and an instructional manual for living. I don't take the print literally, however, I do take the principles seriously.