a single collection of old and multiply-translated documents which don’t amount to a primary source for much beyond their own existence
I know how most atheists feel about the Bible. Really, I do. But if you don’t understand what’s so powerful about a book, and you want to know, then you really should give it a try—I might say that the last chapter of Moroni especially addresses this.
(I promise I’m not trying to convert you. I don’t remotely expect you to have a spiritual experience because of this one chapter.)
I have to wonder whether “religion” might be just the word for that mental process.
Yes, it’s easy to compare religion and atheism to each other as well as professional sports and a lot of other human behaviors. I’m all for free thought and not being persuaded by powerful words alone. However, just as I try to be able to enjoy ridiculous sports games, I’m glad to understand why people believe what they do.
But if you don’t understand what’s so powerful about a book, and you want to know, then you really should give it a try—I might say that the last chapter of Moroni especially addresses this.
Well, I’ve now read the last chapter of Moroni, which is the last book of the Book of Mormon. The prophet takes his leave of his people, promises that God, the Son, and the Holy Ghost will reveal the truth of these things to those who sincerely pray, enjoins them to practice faith, hope, and charity and avoid despair, and promises to see them in the hereafter.
I don’t feel any urge to read this as other than fiction.
I know how most atheists feel about the Bible. Really, I do. But if you don’t understand what’s so powerful about a book, and you want to know, then you really should give it a try—I might say that the last chapter of Moroni especially addresses this.
I grew up on the Bible. I studied the Bible for over a decade. I have read the Old Testament in Hebrew.
It’s the most boring thing I’ve ever laid eyes on.
I’ve always marveled at peoples’ assertions that, even if they don’t believe the bible is the word of God, they still respect it as a great work of literature. I suspect that they really do believe it, humans can invest a whole lot of positive associations with things simply through expectation and social conditioning. But my opinion of it as a literary work is low enough that I have a hard time coming up with any sort of of comparison which doesn’t make it sound like I’m making a deliberate effort to mock religious people.
I know how most atheists feel about the Bible. Really, I do. But if you don’t understand what’s so powerful about a book, and you want to know, then you really should give it a try—I might say that the last chapter of Moroni especially addresses this.
(I promise I’m not trying to convert you. I don’t remotely expect you to have a spiritual experience because of this one chapter.)
Yes, it’s easy to compare religion and atheism to each other as well as professional sports and a lot of other human behaviors. I’m all for free thought and not being persuaded by powerful words alone. However, just as I try to be able to enjoy ridiculous sports games, I’m glad to understand why people believe what they do.
Well, I’ve now read the last chapter of Moroni, which is the last book of the Book of Mormon. The prophet takes his leave of his people, promises that God, the Son, and the Holy Ghost will reveal the truth of these things to those who sincerely pray, enjoins them to practice faith, hope, and charity and avoid despair, and promises to see them in the hereafter.
I don’t feel any urge to read this as other than fiction.
Great. No pressure on you, but now you’ve read the promise that inspires so many people. Feel free to think of it as fiction if you choose to.
I grew up on the Bible. I studied the Bible for over a decade. I have read the Old Testament in Hebrew.
It’s the most boring thing I’ve ever laid eyes on.
I’ll agree with that, some parts of it are incredibly boring. (Though some parts could make an awesome action flick.)
I’ve always marveled at peoples’ assertions that, even if they don’t believe the bible is the word of God, they still respect it as a great work of literature. I suspect that they really do believe it, humans can invest a whole lot of positive associations with things simply through expectation and social conditioning. But my opinion of it as a literary work is low enough that I have a hard time coming up with any sort of of comparison which doesn’t make it sound like I’m making a deliberate effort to mock religious people.