comparing 'holy' books

[LHX]

in reference to the topic i started in the PD section -- http://www.principiadiscordia.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=313404#313404

-- here is some more food for thought



most if not all systems of 'belief' or knowledge have a central text or scripture that is referred to by those who follow the system

all of these scriptures follow the same format

1 - a detail of 'history' and how things came into being
2 - a series of suggestions of how to approach 'life'
3 - a suggestion of what the future has in store



the only differences between the books are

1 - the amount of detail
2 - the metaphors used
3 - the tone used by those who assembled the literature




all books are maps
all these maps represent the same place
what we are witnessing here is that some maps are better than others
and will help you better navigate the territory


but
the best approach is to take as many maps into account as possible

add on if you have any insights

[the other anonymous]

Pffft.

The best thing to do with scripture is to write it.

Seriously, who reads scripture anymore? It's much more fun to make it up as you go.

[Wolfpoet]

I'm inclined to agree.

Theology is a fascinating subject.

I would recomend people actualy read the Bible, Torah, Koran.

Then study the tenets of Taoism and Bhuddism

Learn about Japan's Shinto faith and the native Australian Dreamtime.

Educate yourself on native American shamanism and study the legends of the Nordic Gods.

Then just compare them and see what you find.

[Cain]

Its a good way to go.  I can't even remember the amount of 'holy' texts I've read over time.

[LHX]

the same story can be told so many ways



infinite

[LMNO]

I'm inclined to agree.

Theology is a fascinating subject.

I would recomend people actualy read the Bible, Torah, Koran.

Then study the tenets of Taoism and Bhuddism

Learn about Japan's Shinto faith and the native Australian Dreamtime.

Educate yourself on native American shamanism and study the legends of the Nordic Gods.

Then just compare them and see what you find.

Or you could read a few Joseph Cambpell/James Frazer books.



LMNO
-Did both.

[LHX]

there is a lot of well-read people here

[B_M_W]

After reading this thread last night I started reading the KJV bible. Stopped right after Abraham when I remembered just how insepid it was.

[Cain]

The best bit is where God uses a bear to slaughter a load of kids for laughing at a bald man.

I've got most of the way through the Bhagavad Gita and about half of the way through the Koran...I have an assembled mess of Buddhist and Taoist tracts too...

[Wolfpoet]

My two favourite parts of the Bible are Ezekiel and Matthew.

It's the two extremes that make me laugh when I hear evangelists preach.

[LMNO]

Ezikiel 23:20.


It's a classic.  And please to note the 23.

[Cain]

Too.  Much.  Information.

[LMNO]

Kinda amazing, huh?  I love to pull out a bible at parties & quote all that kind of stuff.

[B_M_W]

The best bit is where God uses a bear to slaughter a load of kids for laughing at a bald man.

I've got most of the way through the Bhagavad Gita and about half of the way through the Koran...I have an assembled mess of Buddhist and Taoist tracts too...

See, I think I could actually read those. Partially because they are more poetic. I mean, have you actually read the KJV word for word? Its crap literature, at least by todays standards.

[Cain]

Never.  I got a Gideon one lying around the place...stupid Christian Union...