Do you believe in the Bible......LITERALLY?

I don't believe that any of it is true or moral.

The Bible is a collection of books, written by several authors over the course of thousands of years with various genres and purposes. Some books and portions of books are written to be understood literally (the Gospels and epistles in particular), however other portions are poetry, allegory, illustration, and parable which are not even intended to be taken literally

We should not read the bible as a single book, but a collection of books, and understand the purpose and composition of the book before trying to fit any one interpretive method upon the whole.

There should always be an "other" option in these polls.

I might believe it was literally what the people understood to be true at the time....

Only a crazy person would.

I'm reasonably certain there is some type of intelligent creative force but I don't believe that any book or religion has universal authority. Knowledge potential is vitrually unlimited, not limited. We will never know everything there is to know.

yes, and no
i don't think Adam was tempted by an apple, more like a hairy little hole, and a thimble of sperm!!!

I would like to say "yes", but it would be a lie. I have TRIED to believe it. I WANT to believe it. But, the fact is that I don't believe it. I envy those who do. I think it was written by men who thought they were doing God's work, and I believe people who follow it do so because they want to obey God.

I believe in God. I believe he is my creator, your creator. I believe He can do all things, even some of the outstanding things in the Bible, but I don't believe He works that way. I have no rationale for the way I believe or think about this issue.

I believe all religions had their beginnings in one people wanting to control their own members as well as others. I believe in God, but not religion. That may not make sense to some, but it does to me.

Yes but with correct historical context and proper inmterpretation

I do, and I'm not surprised so many don't. It is too contrary to human nature for me to believe it was designed and conceived by men.

And I do know that it has been used for evil purposes, by humans. I choose to not be dissuaded because I would like to not believe. When you don't understand something you don't just chunk it. You test it to find how it works, and works best. Scientist test what they don't understand all the time. I do the same, as best I can.

I believe the bible is a work of fiction written in an unenlightened time for people afraid of things they did not understand - and it was also formed as a political tool by constantine. There may be a few historical events alluded to, but it is basically a work of fiction.

And yes I do believe that there are bibles. I have seen them, and I own several versions.

Sorry no. It's a book written by MEN.

I believe in the main things stated in it, but some of the more fantastic things there is probably some more reasonable explanation for, (pareting of Red Sea, that sort of thing).

Let's be clear in our terms. I have read the Bible through several times. I've held it in my hands. I own a copy of it now. So yes, I believe the Bible exists. What I don't believe is that it is the infallable word of God. For goodness sake,m Exodus 1 gives us one chronology of creation and Exodus 2 gives us another different creation order. If we believe it literally, the Earth is the center of the universe and the sky is a dome over it with the stars simply lights fixed in the dome.

But I also understand the use of parables, poetry, and expressions of cultural speech, and consider who is speaking and to whom words are addressed when reading it. Most of all, I listen to the interpretation given to me by the Holy Spirit, who is the ultimate author of the original words.

I appreciate the way you describe how you see it. Your comment is beautiful.

Thank you. :)

It's primarily allegorical. It has some history, but, as far as being factual, it's too lean. It is a rule and guide of faith, not a text book.

reading it is what made me an atheists, i dont see how anyone could even begin to believe any of it. http://www.skepticsannotatedb...

I believe it literally exists. Yup, there are bibles.

No.

To me it is a book with ancient stories based on the superstition of that time...

YES!!!! Absolutely!!!!, it is the word of our Holy Father, GOD

It's the result of Integrity.

No. There is no way I take everything written in the Bible literally.

Give me credit for some intelligence. After all all religions are simply fanciful tales with a mattering of human abuse thrown into them. And regardless of what is claimed in them There is not a shred of common sense to recommend them.

i never read the bible so no, i don't and plus a'm a Pagan so.

No

Given the goings on a the council of Nicaea it is flat out absurd to take the bible literally.

I raved you so hard just now. Lol.

Thanks BlunderWoman! It's nice to meet a like minded person.

You're welcome, and yes it is!

Yes I do & am not ashamed to admit it. I strongly suggest that a Strong's Concordance be applied when studying scripture because things are lost in translating from the original Hebrew & Greek texts that make it seem errant.

Men decided what, out of scraps and bits of documents found over many years, and in many places, were to be included/excluded. Some of those decisions were not "inspired", but made for political and social control reasons; and according to what those men deemed appropriate. Then factor in translations, mistranslations; interpretations, and misinterpretations, and there just isn't any way I can believe that it is the literal word of God. Any time humans are involved you have to factor in human mistakes, egos, and ambitions. Just my opinion....

Don't throw the Baby out with the Bath water.

I was a Christian up until a few years ago, and thus I have studied the Bible at length. I didn't reject all of it out of hand just because I didn't "trust" all of it to be 100% the true inspired word of God. I still think most of it is beautiful and a good guideline/resource for those whose faith is based on what it says. So no, I didn't/don't throw the baby out with the bathwater. Like life, to me it is not all black & white - believe all of it without question, or believe non of it - I think that is a short-sighted way to look at anything!

I believe I am a passenger in your boat. I was raised in and faithful to my church for years and years. I don't know what triggered a metamorphosis in my mind, but no matter how hard I try and how much I want to believe wholeheartedly, I just cannot believe God is what the Bible wants us to believe. I believe He is so MUCH MORE than it depicts Him.

Yes, I literally believe in the Bible.