The worst things that have ever been written

[Word]

Those books are fiction and are not to be taken as a manual of how to live your life

Right, but they were. I don't think it matters if the bible makes any claims that seem absurd to some, but if someone puts his interpretation into practice. And again I wouldn't blame the book for it. Perhaps James Holmes watched a Batman movie and thought it was glorifying the Joker's cruel murders, and that he could become just as infamous by imitating him in the real world. Who knows if any work's darkest components aren't taken as a manual of life by some maniacs? If I was an author, I wouldn't even dare to begin writing a new book then.

[Lucifer]

Few books are meant to be taken as manuals on how to live your life (except self-improvement books). But all books have value for everyone. What would be the point of literature if it didn't contain the potential to change someone's life for the better?

[þsy]

I don't think it's fair to say that that is the purpose of the bible. The bible itself doesn't tell you that you need to have that sort of relationship with it, and it is the Church who promote the book in such a light. I think there are other ways of approaching the texts (even with in the context of Christianity)

Also, I think we need to differentiate between "the worst thing ever written" and people's actions as a consequence of reading the text rendering it the "worst thing ever written". Whilst it may not be the best read at times, it's a far better read than a lot of trashy books (as someone has already noted). As someone else said, the consequences of the Christian religion in America are pretty unreal, with people using the bible to justify all sorts of terrible behaviour and ideas (and often further their own agendas). Personally, my reading of the bible is rather condemning of such actions and focuses on the story of Jesus, who appears to be a man travelling around teaching about love and social justice. That's a far stretch from other people's understanding though

The point I'm trying to make is that if Christianity wasn't the dominant religion, but the same size as other religions in America, the argument that the bible is the worst text ever written would most definitely not be being made

[Monkey]

The point I'm trying to make is that if Christianity wasn't the dominant religion, but the same size as other religions in America, the argument that the bible is the worst text ever written would most definitely not be being made

I can't speak for others here but I said that the sum of all religious texts are the worst things ever written. As far as I am concerned, all religious texts are works of fiction claiming not only to be fact but also to be the word of a superior being (or superior beings), that does/do not exist yet command(s) everyone to follow its/their rules. I can't see how any other texts or "trashy books" could be "worse".

Also, I think we need to differentiate between "the worst thing ever written" and people's actions as a consequence of reading the text rendering it the "worst thing ever written".

So exactly what criteria are being used to make judgement? "Style"? I was actually brought up jewish (despite being an athiest for my entire life). I had to go to sunday school every week from the age of about five. I learnt Hebrew and the whole of the torah. The torah is really quite crap "stylistically". I don't know what other criteria we can judge on...

[þsy]

As far as I am concerned, all religious texts are works of fiction claiming not only to be fact but also to be the word of a superior being (or superior beings)

When interpreting information (be it text, dialogue, whatever) the power lies not in the text itself, or what it's claiming, but in the human listening to/reading that information. Using this logic, I'd argue that it's not the religious text itself that is problematic, but they way in which the human interprets it. For example, you might read the Torah and think it's a load of tripe. 9,999 other people might read it and also think that. For all of those people, this text is harmless and perhaps a little silly

Likewise, I might watch Terminator, strongly self-identify with John Connor and interpret it as a calling to destroy all Austrian body-builders, as they're all probably cyborgs trying to take over the world. Whilst this a silly comparison, it draws attention to the point I'm trying to make; the meaning of a statement is determined by the listener, not the speaker

What I tried to say about religious texts is that from a more objective point of view (which doesn't make sense, but you know what I mean!) the bible or any other religious text is probably far better written and much more interesting than this short story I just wrote on a piece of paper about a guy called psy - used to be a tronner and then became god of the world. I'm guessing the reason why you don't like religious texts is not because they're bad literature, but more because people interpret them in ways which leads to all sorts of terrible things (and quite often good things too!)

The way we interpret text and how it influences our actions and behaviour is influenced by a whole myriad of factors, from positionality, to time, space, culture etc.

[Monkey]

...the bible or any other religious text is probably far better written and much more interesting than this short story I just wrote on a piece of paper about a guy called psy...

I would much rather hear/read your story. The religious texts I have experience of are poorly written (certainly not well written) and boring as hell.

When interpreting information (be it text, dialogue, whatever) the power lies not in the text itself, or what it's claiming, but in the human listening to/reading that information.

I'd say that the power lies in both what the text is claiming and the human(s) listening to/reading that information.

...people interpret them in ways which leads to all sorts of terrible things (and quite often good things too!)

It's a shame that these "people" don't have the intelligence to think for themselves.

[sinewav]

The religious texts I have experience of are poorly written (certainly not well written) and boring as hell.

I'll second that. I was really into philosophy in my youth and spent a few years exploring different religious text (not the Torah or Qur'an though, not different enough from the Bible). Read the Upanishads and man, what a snooze-fest. The Bhagavad Gita was actually pretty interesting, but a little tedious (Spoiler alert: Arjuna is absolved from bad karma because killing is his duty, part of his caste). Lao Tzu's work is easier to read than Chuang Tzu's, but also more vapid. The Dhammapada was the best of them, but I have a Buddhist bias. Unfortunately, after my run through Eastern religions I became much too bored to dig into others like Zoroastrianism and folk religions of Africa or South America. Maybe one day I get to those.

[Lucifer]

Likewise, I might watch Terminator, strongly self-identify with John Connor and interpret it as a calling to destroy all Austrian body-builders, as they're all probably cyborgs trying to take over the world. Whilst this a silly comparison, it draws attention to the point I'm trying to make; the meaning of a statement is determined by the listener, not the speaker

It's not necessarily as silly as it sounds. There's fair evidence that Jesus really was intended to be a fictional character and that some of the gospel is straight-up satire. The gnostic influence is irrefutable, and Jesus DOES satirize the old testament god in a few ways.

[Titanoboa]

Feels appropriate to post this link here and now.

http://youtu.be/Qnq7N6X4x84
"What if the Terminator was sent in the time of Jesus Christ?"

[Word]

I just remembered that there is this German saying about the Catholic diaspora.."the further away from Rome, the better the Catholics"

[epsy]

I'm sure Lucifer will agree to that.

[Lucifer]

I'm sure Lucifer will agree to that.

Sure, relatively speaking, of course. There's no implication that there may be good catholics anywhere, because, of course, there aren't.

[chrisd]

Sure, relatively speaking, of course. There's no implication that there may be good catholics anywhere, because, of course, there aren't.

Actually, there are good catholics. http://happyamsguy.blogspot.nl/2008/07/ ... sdonk.html Although, I suppose the fact that this is an 'in memoriam' might lead Lucifer to the conclusion that the only good catholic is a dead catholic......

[Lucifer]

Sure, relatively speaking, of course. There's no implication that there may be good catholics anywhere, because, of course, there aren't.

Actually, there are good catholics. http://happyamsguy.blogspot.nl/2008/07/ ... sdonk.html Although, I suppose the fact that this is an 'in memoriam' might lead Lucifer to the conclusion that the only good catholic is a dead catholic......

That was the worst post ever written. Come on, folks, 'fess up. This is a terrible post.

[þsy]

I have to agree - and there is only one possible consequence to such actions: we need a lance armstrong-esque intervention

Chrisd, we hereby strip you of all trophies this forum has ever awarded you. All achievements in which you placed first will be handed over to the 2nd place runner-up

We therefore remove the title of 'nicest player on tron', and declare the person who placed 2nd as the new nicest player on tron, whoever that is