Religious texts

[sobrique]

If we assume that there is no God, and therefore the central basis of the Bible was in error, would that make it any less valid as a source of spiritual thought, and social/moral guidance?

Comments

[velvet-nothing.livejournal.com]

Maybe not less valid, but certainly less influential. I think it's the whole word-of-God bit that differentiates it from other books.

[sobrique.livejournal.com]

Why is that though? Surely it's value as a 'don't be horrible to each other' guide, isn't actually changed.

[velvet-nothing.livejournal.com]

I didn't say it would be any less valuable; just less influential. If it were read as purely a work of fiction or literature... well, there would be nothing to distinguish it from all the other books out there and it would probably take its place among other fables and folklore. Somebody in marketing was having a really good day when they got in the whole God concept ;o)

[sobrique.livejournal.com]

I rather enjoyed some of the Bible stories. Mostly the old testament stuff though, to be fair. Moses, Jonah, Genesis and ... well quite a few others are really rather interesting.

I'm just not entirely sure how they'd stand alone.

[velvet-nothing.livejournal.com]

Well, to a lot of people, they *do* stand alone. I'm agnostic, and as such, the bible has no particular meaning to me. In fact, I haven't even read it properly as an adult, and because there are plenty of other good books on my To Read list it may be a while before I get around to it.

How about yourself? I don't really know where you stand on the existence of God, but if you don't believe, surely you already know how they stand alone?

[sobrique.livejournal.com]

Religious philosophy is something I've been pondering for a while. I used to be a frequent church-going Christian. Now I'm not. I don't quite know how to explain it, but on one day it just no longer fit. A bit like a glove that's on the wrong hand, or a shirt you're wearing backwards.

And on that day, for some reason it didn't 'work' any more. I wouldn't say I reject what I learned, but just didn't feel that I could follow that path any more.

I still am unwilling to rule out existance of God, but I also don't think the way the Bible has it is entirely correct. I think there _is_ a purpose to the Universe. A spirit if you will. But I don't think it's quite so easily personified as a God or pantheon. Then again, there's not really any other words that fit especially, so God would do. Things like prayer/meditation are not heard/answered, so much as serving to focus the mind, that we might accomplish things.

Actually, what's recently come to my attention as a 'close fit' is Taoism, but I shall have to read up more on that.

[mister-jack.livejournal.com]

I have an introductory book on Taoism, you may borrow it if you wish.

[mrbear.livejournal.com]

The 'Tao Of Pooh'?

:)

[mister-jack.livejournal.com]

And The Te of Piglet !

[mrbear.livejournal.com]

Both are damned good books, and very informative. Been ages since I've read them...