Metaphorically Factual...?

[ManTimeForgot]

Alceste is definitely on top of things here. Much of religious truth (as I understand it) is allegorical. The hardships of mythic individuals are emblematic of the trials and tribulations we experience in day to day life. The parables and events are often morality tales or narratives designed to prompt thought about what is meaningful in life or what is worth preserving. And any truth about the human psyche or "spirit" is bound up in symbols which can only be understood if one is willing to probe the veil of metaphorical interpretation.

MTF

 

[ellenjanuary]

The words of the prophets are for people to use and abuse until another prophet comes by to regulate. Whether or not history records ellenjanuary as a prophet or a fool is up to history; I really don't care. I'm just here to love my Gwynnies.

 

[ellenjanuary]

nuf said

Religious texts are factual and should not be questioned.

Sheep... Now Self-Shearing!

 

[jam.bar]

Should the stories in scriptures, of any religion or faith, be taken as fact or symbols? I find that there are a couple of problems with both of these reasonings, but i just wish to know what other's thought.

If I had to pick one, i'd say as symbols. Since there is little to no proof of religious scriptures being fact, take them as symbols. Gotta make use of em somehow.

 

[ellenjanuary]

The best use of the Bible is for an individual to find comfort in god. The moral guidelines presented therein provide true meaning for individuals who educate themselves with this literature.

Smart: looking into the Bible for meaning. Not so much: trying to pull meaning from the Bible.

 

[Commoner]

The best use of the Bible is for an individual to find comfort in god.

Plus it makes a great paperweight. :areyoucra

 

[ThereIsNoSpoon]

Should the stories in scriptures, of any religion or faith, be taken as fact or symbols? I find that there are a couple of problems with both of these reasonings, but i just wish to know what other's thought.

In my view as fact except where explicitly stated otherwise which of course ends up with all religions showing their errors.

 

[ThereIsNoSpoon]

The best use of the Bible is for an individual to find comfort in god.

Well, the quran supposedly has the same use, the torah as well and hundreds of other books.

The moral guidelines presented therein provide true meaning for individuals who educate themselves with this literature.

It never stops to amaze me how one could bring forth the argument of morality.