I don't understand the point of the Holy Bible

I always thought that the Holy Bible was simply a vast collection of outdated, fictitious tales, written with the purpose of giving guidance through loose interpretation. But if that's the case, then why not just use something like Aasop's Fables instead? I'd say that you'd get way more bang for your buck as far as practical wisdom goes. And plus, they're easy to read and not all fluffed out with ridiculous exaggerations that make it so hard to believe.

But then again, I guess most organized religions aren't really based on practicality, but rather on relatively 'blind' faith.

So why do holy scriptures even exist? Are people using them for the right reasons?

I stuck to only mentioning the Holy Bible, as I have at least read a small portion of it (Genesis mainly), while on the other hand, I have no clue whatsoever as to what is contained in the Qu'uran or other religious texts (although I assume they aren't much different in terms of general context).

Since you've only read genesis and no other holy books you're making quite an assumption, why don't you go read the whole of the Torah, New Testament, Qu'ran, and the Talmud and come back to us with your knowledgeable interpretations.

This may sound kind of harsh but your view is really quite close minded.

Originally Posted by scorpio2121

Since you've only read genesis and no other holy books you're making quite an assumption, why don't you go read the whole of the Torah, New Testament, Qu'ran, and the Talmud and come back to us with your knowledgeable interpretations.

This may sound kind of harsh but your view is really quite close minded.

Alright, then let me rephrase to simply: What is the purpose of the Holy Bible?

Besides, I've never once heard a quote from any religious text that didn't sound like it was just supposed to be some form of guidance based on loose interpretation of a fictitious story, like I said.

And there is no way I am EVER going to even consider reading one of the major religious texts in full, unless a non-religious person can honestly tell me that it is worth the time to read merely for practical purposes (not just for educational purposes).

That is, assuming the bible is meant to serve a practical purpose.

You see, there are tons of questions in this thread you could still answer without suggesting I read every single religious text in it's entirety.

[BrokeProphet]

I have read the bible. It is an alright book. The plot is really hard to follow and I never really felt connected with the characters at all. I wanted most of em to die and when that one beggar got it I laughed my ass off at the witty convo between him and the thief hanging next to him. You could miss reading this one. Plot is just too hard to follow.

Seriously, the bible is written in riddles for the same reasons horoscopes and nostradomus are written in riddles. ITS BULLSHIT. You can go back and read what YOU WANT into them.

But the main purpose of the bible is a way to establish social control and order (and turn a tidy profit "saving souls" while your at it). It is a meme complex. It is a mind virus. It is asking a question that can never be known (what happens when you die) and then answering it with a steady stream of bullshit.

When the faith finally dies off this book will not even be considered a good work of fiction.

[Rizzo in a box]

There are many, many different ways of looking at the Bible. the point can't really be put into words.

try learning how to silence your internal dialog before reading it again

[moonmeister]

Though scholars say it has been changed somewhat through the passage of time & many hands. The New Testament, though based a lot on the Old one?

It's a 'New' & different book. Start with that. Read the four Gospels & then read other parts if you like. No reason to start at Genesis & work through until the end of the Book of Rev. Though, you might find Rev is...rather interesting...

[JesuitArtiste]

Originally Posted by gadzooks

And there is no way I am EVER going to even consider reading one of the major religious texts in full, unless a non-religious person can honestly tell me that it is worth the time to read merely for practical purposes (not just for educational purposes).

That is, assuming the bible is meant to serve a practical purpose.

You see, there are tons of questions in this thread you could still answer without suggesting I read every single religious text in it's entirety.

Seriously. You won't even consider reading a religious text? Why the hell not?

I'm also unsure how you can't get the point of the Bible. I mean, how can a person decide that they are a christian if they don't know what a christian is? It's like a history book, the only reason you know who you are in terms of national identity is because you are aware of the history of your people. Think of the bible in the same way. Kinda like an instruction manual of sorts.

[nshanin]

As a secular humanist I still think it's a good idea to read some religious books to get a feel for what people are talking about, and especially those of Eastern religions (such as the Tao Te Ching) because of the philosophical implications and the beautiful prose contained in them. You don't need to believe in God to have inner peace and know how to live.