The Holy Bible
The most recent piece of literature
we read in Mosaics was The Holy Bible, book of Genesis. Now let me give you
some background on myself, I am a catholic and my Dad is in the process of
becoming a deacon in the Catholic Church soooooo you might say that religion
plays a big part in my family. That being said I have never actually read the
bible. Yes I’ve heard readings during the mass but I have never taken the time
to sit down and read it.
I
really enjoyed reading the bible, because I read it in a story sense. I read it
just as one would read the Epic of Gilgamesh, as a narrative with characters
and fictional elements. Now the word I just used is important fictional. I’m
not trying to go against my religion, but a lot of people point out flaws in
the book of genesis. I think you have to read it like a narrative story and
take lessons from it instead of directly interpreting it. If you were to
directly interpret it you would see a lot of deceit, a lot of cruelness from
God and other things that aren’t so pleasing.
Here
is an example of the interpretation I do. The story of Adam and Eve is
scientifically untrue. Humans were not placed on the Earth at the same time as
all the animals and the fish and the birds. Science and evolution shows us that
the dinosaurs were here first and man evolved into what it is today. The story
of Adam and Eve should not be taken literally but through interpretation. Humans
have knowledge that God gave us that he did not give any other animal. God made
humans different; we see nakedness unlike all other animals. Adam and Eve is a
story to show us that no human is perfect and we are all born with original
sin. We are born into God’s world knowing that we’re going to mess up and that
it is ok.
I’m
stopping myself there I think I’m sounding way too religious. I am sorry for
that. I really enjoyed reading Genesis though and it makes me realize that I’m
following a religion I don’t even know that much about. The bible is giant!!! I
find it very fascinating that Temple requires us to read the bible. My
hypothesis as to why that is, is similar to most of the other books we have
read. Throughout life you are going to have to be knowledgeable of certain
texts, such as Freud, and Socrates, and the Bible is one of the most referenced
books in politics, and school. To have some sort of base knowledge on the bible
is very beneficial towards any career. Also it is important to have a basic
knowledge on the bible to have a better understanding of religions. Judaism,
Christianity and Islam all accept the book of Genesis. Although these religions
are all different it can show us that there is a unity between them and can
help bring a sense of understanding to those of different cultures and
religions.
I like your post because I did the same thing, I read the Bible as a story too. And you're right about how you can't take it literally or else you'll miss the point. I think this post would be helpful for someone who criticizes the Bible for being outdated. Of course it is, but if someone reads it as a narrative as you said they'd understand it better.
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