Definition of 'Allegory' for those of you who need it: An expressive style that uses fictional characters and events to describe some subject by suggestive resemblances; an extended metaphor.
2007-12-18 12:18:09 · 34 answers · asked by Really???!!!! 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
The Judeo/Christian Bible is a corruption of stolen material that has been used to spiritually enslave humanity. All of the legends of the Gods are allegories. The Vatican and its cohorts have gained wealth, power, and control by forcing people to believe these allegories are literal places and characters.
2007-12-18 12:20:06 · answer #1 · answered by Turksknowbest 2 · 6⤊ 7⤋
Your definition of 'allegory' is incorrect. An allegory is a story in which the characters are given the names of 'characteristics' they use to get through life and the 'events' lead them to a 'good place' or 'evil place' depending on the 'slant' of the allegory. The BEST 'allegory' is in two parts, one painting the way to Heaven, the other to Hell(Pilgrim's Progress, Pilgrim's Regress). The Bible is a compendium of many different books from many different eras, and many different styles ... the Old Testament is mostly stories with a few 'songs' and some poems and laws and other 'important things' thrown in. ALL of the 'stories, etc.' in the Old Testament 'point directly' toward the books in the New Testament, that starts with the 'Four Gospels' (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) and follows with much 'history' and several LETTERS (written by St. Paul) that ends with the Book of Revelation of St. John the Divine that is as 'close to allegory' as any book of the Bible and tells of 'the end of life on Earth in very 'symbolic' words ...
The Bible was NEVER intended to be thought of as 'factual' ... a recounting of hard and incontrovertible facts ... but it is 'absolute truth' for those who read it properly and learn to 'interpret it' properly. I've read the WHOLE BIBLE every two years in 17 different translations (which I read ALL AT ONCE, line by line, chapter by chapter) and I feel I can 'accurately interpret' at most 1/3-1/2 of what I've read ... and I'll KEEP READING IT (and I hope add a few more good translations, including the Latin and the 'original Aramic and Greek' (I need to learn those last two languages, though first) and I MAY 'know' what the Bible is 'saying to us' before I die ... if GOD wants me to know it.
2007-12-18 12:36:00 · answer #2 · answered by Kris L 7 · 0⤊ 3⤋
There are parts of the Bible that allegories and metaphors. But there are also lengthy parts of the Bible that are historical facts. The people presented in those books are not fictional, nor are the events recorded about them. Simple too much historical evidence for them to be otherwise.
2007-12-18 12:25:04 · answer #3 · answered by dewcoons 7 · 1⤊ 3⤋
There are some Interesting Concepts Here.... In Your Browser Type in: Zeitgeist The Movie, 2007
2007-12-18 12:26:38 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
YES - the stories in the bible originated as a way to explain the scientifically unknown and pass on fables.
Many cultures use fables and legends to explain the origin of man and to teach morals.
**A tale based around real people and places? It must be true then!! How does this explain the plays of Shakespeare, thousands of novels and many current movies?
2007-12-18 12:23:18 · answer #5 · answered by Joh 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Certain parts of the bible were clearly meant as allegory, while others are up for debate. The position of the Catholic church is that the bible "contains all of the truth that one needs to be saved". I don't believe any of it though. :p
2007-12-18 12:23:20 · answer #6 · answered by Lukesed 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
The bible contains NO disclaimers by "god" that some of the wild stories are "parables" and not to be taken literally. These ludicrous stories are purported to be "god's" absolute, inviolate word. Fundies have taken it upon themselves to say that this story or that story is not to be taken literally. This is because we are no longer ingnorant, superstitious, Bronze Age people. And because stories like Noahs Ark, parting seas, stopping the sun, and talking animals cause deafening laughter these days. But as quickly as these are declared to be parables, the fundies conjure up ever more inane stories, such as children riding the backs of Triceratops, and cavorting with Velociraptors. They even build a "museum" to show this drivel! They never learn.
2007-12-18 12:24:13 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
I might, depending on what parts of the bible you are speaking of. Afterall, it was not written by one person, but by many in different time periods.
Would you agree that currency has no real value but the artificial value placed on it as agreed upon by the people that use it? It's not backed by Gold anymore. It's just printed paper. In 1960 your house was worth 50,000. In 2007, that same house is worth 500,000. Nothing has changed about the house whatsover. Yahoo stock used to be valued near what Google's stock is valued at now. Currently, it is only a fraction of that. My point, value is determined by people, individually and in mass. The bible's value is no more or less valuable that you agree it to be, regardless of it's expression as fact or fiction.
Disassociate yourselves for a moment, pretend we are talking about a phone book. If you use it, is it of any value? If it pertains only to an area outside of yours, it is of any value? If you don't like phone books, is it of any value? You get my point?
I'm no atheist by the way, but neither am I one who blindly spews out verse and chapter in an effort to be devout. Apply your faith, discussion leads to discovery, truth is inner.
2007-12-18 12:29:36 · answer #8 · answered by Thoughtful Mind 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Jesus used parables so people could get what he was telling them. Some things in the Bible are true. Like the Romans, King Herod, Jews and the like.
Definition of 'parable' in case you need it: is a brief, succinct story, in prose or verse, that illustrates a moral or religious lesson.
2007-12-18 12:28:57 · answer #9 · answered by Injam 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Pilate lived..historical documents exist outside the Bible proving that he lived..having that example..you allegory theory falls apart...and then, does your question exclude using "fake" names/allegory to describe real events?.."the names have been changed to protect the innocent..."
2007-12-18 12:24:04 · answer #10 · answered by obsolete professor 4 · 0⤊ 3⤋
No I don`t think so at all.The bible was written by people who had Revelation from God.It is a book of instruction from God for us.It is a wonderful book of all His promises to us!It is relevant for all periods of time!The reason why it is hard for us to understand sometimes is because of the state of mans heart.Our hearts are so corrupted by sins and ways of the word that we have fallen farther and farther away from things of God.It`s not hopeless though.Christ died on the cross because of the sinfulness of man.His perfect blood can wash all our sins away when we go to him and admit that we are sinners in need of him.When we ask for forgiveness,the Holy Spirit comes into our hearts and Willl be our "helper".Then so much of Gods word will come alive for you!Your life wil be transformed.I know this to be true,because it happened for me:o)Merry Christmas
2007-12-18 12:29:09 · answer #11 · answered by mom2119114 3 · 0⤊ 3⤋