Do You Take the Bible Literally?

Using the Bible's words literally rather than as general teachings

Published on January 25, 2006 By JillUser In Religion

I personally see way too many contradictions with the bible to take it literally. I can however understand it being used as a guide of general teachings. If you look at it as a compilation of stories to teach morality, I can see it as a very useful tool.

Can you take Jesus as your saviour and not take the bible as the word of God literally. Can you be christian and believe that God sent messages to mankind to be recorded in story form to teach right from wrong? If following the instructions of the Bible is the only path to salvation, what happens to all the people who are never introduced to the Bible?

Feel free to quote away. I am sincerely interested in opinions on the subject and how they are formed. I won't judge your opinion either way.

Comments (Page 6)

SUPREME BEING

on Jan 27, 2006

THE HOLY SPIRIT HAS 4 AVENUES WITH WHICH IT WORKS-WHAT ARE THEY???? SALVATION HANGS IN THE BALANCE..RIGHT HERE,N RIGHT NOW, WE WILL SEE WHAT YOU THINK YOU DON'T KNOW..

SUPREME BEING

on Jan 27, 2006

THE HOLY SPIRIT HAS 4 AVENUES WITH WHICH IT WORKS-WHAT ARE THEY???? SALVATION HANGS IN THE BALANCE..RIGHT HERE,N RIGHT NOW, WE WILL SEE WHAT YOU THINK YOU DON'T KNOW..

JillUser

on Jan 27, 2006

Okay, anonymous users once again prove they need to be kept out. Stephen Collins, I am not putting up with name calling on this thread. Everyone else has been ver respectful. You add nothing but irritation to this discussion. "Supreme Being", interesting, you write exactly the same way as Stephen Collins but SC complained of people being fake by not using their real name. I tend to believe SB and SC are one in the same and he is a hypocrite.

KarmaGirl

on Jan 27, 2006

Take a look at the bible. Read every page of it, every word of it and you'll notice some very strong recurring themes.

1. Man tries to over-complicate everything
2. Don't be a dick

LOL Now, that is a religion that I could follow! Too bad it's not that simple

I take the bible as literally as I take the works of Tolkien.

I liken the bible to my Mother in law's recipes. If you follow either one verbatim, it'll leave a bad taste in your mouth.

I tend to believe SB and SC are one in the same and he is a hypocrite.

Actually, *ALL* of the anonymous users are the same person...which makes it that much weirder.....

JillUser

on Jan 27, 2006

I liken the bible to my Mother in law's recipes. If you follow either one verbatim, it'll leave a bad taste in your mouth.

That one made me chuckle

Actually, *ALL* of the anonymous users are the same person...which makes it that much weirder.....

That is weird. Oh well, I set it for registered only so hopefully we won't have anymore of that nonsense.

Dr Guy

on Jan 27, 2006

I take the bible as literally as I take the works of Tolkien.

I liken the bible to my Mother in law's recipes. If you follow either one verbatim, it'll leave a bad taste in your mouth.

Brad: I take Tolkien Literally.

Karma: That has got to be the line of the year!

dharmagrl

on Jan 27, 2006

I love my husband enough. I'm not married to him because I think it makes god happy. I'm not faithful to him because I think god wants it that way. I'm married to him because I love him, and I'm faithful to him because I want to be. I'm not doing it to please anyone else but myself and my husband. Yes, there's a sanctity to our relationship but it's a sanctity that WE have created, not something that was imparted upon us by an unseen being.

InBloom

on Jan 27, 2006

All I know is I believe in a God that is loving and accepting...organized religion is secondary to me (I am catholic, btw). I have no bible quotes or scholarly research to back this up...this is just what I feel in my heart.

MarcieMoo

on Jan 27, 2006

Marice and Ziggy: I knew about the church being the bride of christ, but I simply don't get why you wouldn't want to get married to someone if you weren't a Christian. Wouldn't you want to commit yourself to one person for the rest of your life for no other reason than you loved them? Why does god have to be part of the equation? Isn't your love for them enough of a reason?

I love my husband enough. I'm not married to him because I think it makes god happy. I'm not faithful to him because I think god wants it that way. I'm married to him because I love him, and I'm faithful to him because I want to be. I'm not doing it to please anyone else but myself and my husband. Yes, there's a sanctity to our relationship but it's a sanctity that WE have created, not something that was imparted upon us by an unseen being.

~shrugs~ I guess I just don't see what the point would be--why be attached if you don't have to? I'm not in that situation, so I really can't say.

shadesofgrey

on Jan 27, 2006

why be attached if you don't have to?

Because you want to be attached. Because you love the other person with all your heart and want to be with them for the rest of your life.

Jill--it's an interesting question, and I'm thinking about it. But I don't have an answer yet.

KarmaGirl

on Jan 27, 2006

~shrugs~ I guess I just don't see what the point would be--why be attached if you don't have to? I'm not in that situation, so I really can't say.

Eek! Did you really mean to say "have to"? I married my husband because I wanted to. He's my soul mate. Our commitment came before marriage. Marriage was just a ceremony to have a party with. My feelings for him would be the same either way. "Have to" be attached?.... whhaaattt? Marriage is a union, not an "attachment". You do it because you want to, not because you have to. If you are doing it because you feel like you have to, then there should be some soul searching taking place.

Sorry about getting OT.....

Dr Guy

on Jan 27, 2006

Exactly! I think we are less threatening to others as we Beleive. And Accept. WHile others must convert. I can accept Jill, Dharma and karma simply because they beleive as well. Not the same creed, but the same principals. And in the end, that is what Jesus is telling us.

I am the way means follow my examples. It does not mean you have to be of one mind and one path. The way is through his teachings. And those are truly universal!

You get a cookie!

JillUser

on Jan 27, 2006

I am the way means follow my examples. It does not mean you have to be of one mind and one path. The way is through his teachings. And those are truly universal!

Nicely said Dr. Guy. Setting a good example is much more attractive than saying "I am right, you are wrong, you need to believe the way I do".

I have no bible quotes or scholarly research to back this up...this is just what I feel in my heart.

That's the beauty of faith though, you don't have to "back it up" or prove it. It is like explaining why you fall in love with one person and not another. It can't be forced, it just is. Thanks InBloom.

KFC Kickin For Christ

on Jan 27, 2006

Have you ever talked with an elderly person who could recall minute details from early in his or her life? Dates, what the weather was like on a certain day and so on? Some of the authors of the New Testament were among those who witnessed the life, death and ressurection of Jesus Christ. I don't believe any of the details contained within those beautiful books were the output of moldy minds looking back through the fuzzy lense of time. I believe the Bible is a God-inspired collection of writings.

Do you believe in an all-powerful God who wrote the laws of nature and has absolute command over His creation? If you do, then answering the above questions is easy.

And it was six days... But who's counting

I've met my match!! I finally found someone that sounds like me!! Nicely said.

JillUser

on Jan 28, 2006

I don't believe any of the details contained within those beautiful books were the output of moldy minds looking back through the fuzzy lense of time

Like you said, that's what you believe. As for elderly people remembering things long ago with great detail, I know more elderly people with creative memory who argue with each other over what truly happened. I believe they "remember it exactly" in their mind but that doesn't mean it is accurate. Not to mention that St. Paul, the main author of the NT never met Jesus so what "memories" was he going by? He actually even persecuted christians until he "had a vision of Jesus".

I believe the Bible is a God-inspired collection of writings.

People can believe it was inspired by God without taking it word for word. Mankind had a whole lot of tampering with it. Again, St. Paul changed things in the OT that he believed didn't need to be followed. So does that mean God said one thing and then changed his mind and told St. Paul to change it? Or could it have been a political move?

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