Just curious... who takes the Bible literally?
475700
People unable or too lazy to think for themselves believe the nonsense that is written in the Bible.  They would have you believe that there have never been dinosaurs because Noah didn't take any into the Ark.\nAs to Adam and Eve, did they pass on the tale of their origins so that it could be written down thousands of years later when man finally learned to write?  Pardon my chuckle.
235212
fundamentalists-meaning they take the bible literally. they don't INTERPRET the bible, they literally live it. and of course, they're christian.I knew some in arkansas, and i can tell you this-whether i believe the way they do or not, i found them very very hard working, honest and caring people. and they make the best suppers ever ever ever!
370725
Its a bit of both. How they perceive the bible that differs.
104834
In the translation of my copy of the Bible, they state flat-out that they do this out of respect for people (including the Jews, whose scripture they are translating) who might feel offended seeing the Name of God in print to potentially be abused.  They add that where the proper name of God is used, they translated it to LORD, all caps, while "The Lord" was translated to a normal proper noun.
960100
You have to understand that the Bible was an oral tradition for hundreds of years.  People told the stories long before they were written down.  Do you remember the story of Goldilocks and the three bears?  Do you remember the exact words in the story from the first time you heard it?  I doubt it.  But you remember the message and could still tell the story to your children.\nWhen the Bible was first written it was in Hebrew (atleast, the Old Testament was).  You're reading an English translation.\nIn all of this, things change, and we shouldn't focus on one word "Us."\n\nMore to think about: Royalty in medieval brittain referred to themselves in the plural (i.e. "We are not amused.")  When the Bible was translated by King James (the most famous English translation) any royal attributes of the day may have been given to God as the Almighty King.  \n\nNo one knows for sure.  You could study this for years and not know.  I hope this summation here does the subject justice.\n\np.s. many people referred to the Trinity (I don't want to say they are wrong, but I don't agree with them).  \nThe trick with that is that the Trinity as a concept wasn't known to humans until the Coucil of Nicea in 325.
320873
I am christian and I take the Bible seriously.\n\nReasons for considering the Bible\n\nThe Bible itself says it is from God, mankind’s Creator\n\n2 Tim. 3:16, 17: “All Scripture is inspired of God and beneficial for teaching, for reproving, for setting things straight, for disciplining in righteousness, that the man of God may be fully competent, completely equipped for every good work.”\n\nRev. 1:1: “A revelation by Jesus Christ, which God gave him, to show his slaves the things that must shortly take place.”\n\n2 Sam. 23:1, 2: “The utterance of David the son of Jesse . . . The spirit of Jehovah it was that spoke by me, and his word was upon my tongue.”\n\nIsa. 22:15: “This is what the Sovereign Lord, Jehovah of armies, has said.”\n\nWe would expect God’s message to all mankind to be available around the globe. The Bible, the whole or in part, has been translated into some 1,800 languages. Its circulation totals in the billions. Says The World Book Encyclopedia: “The Bible is the most widely read book in history. It is probably also the most influential. More copies have been distributed of the Bible than of any other book. It has also been translated more times into more languages than any other book.”—(1984), Vol. 2, p. 219.\n\nBible prophecy explains the meaning of world conditions\n\nMany world leaders acknowledge that mankind is on the brink of disaster. The Bible foretold these conditions long ago; it explains their meaning and what the outcome will be. (2 Tim. 3:1-5; Luke 21:25-31) It tells what we must do in order to survive the impending world destruction, with the opportunity to gain eternal life under righteous conditions here on earth.—Zeph. 2:3; John 17:3; Ps. 37:10, 11, 29.\n\nThe Bible enables us to understand the purpose of life\n\nIt answers such questions as: Where did life come from? (Acts 17:24-26) Why are we here? Is it just to live a few years, get what we can out of life, and then die?—Gen. 1:27, 28; Rom. 5:12; John 17:3; Ps. 37:11; Ps. 40:8.\n\nThe Bible shows how we can have the very things that lovers of righteousness desire most\n\nIt tells us where to find wholesome associates who truly love one another (John 13:35), what can give assurance that we will have sufficient food for ourselves and our families (Matt. 6:31-33; Prov. 19:15; Eph. 4:28), how we can be happy in spite of difficult conditions that surround us.—Ps. 1:1, 2; 34:8; Luke 11:28; Acts 20:35.\n\nIt explains that God’s Kingdom, his government, will remove the present wicked system (Dan. 2:44), and under its rule mankind will be able to enjoy perfect health and eternal life.—Rev. 21:3, 4; compare Isaiah 33:24.\n\nSurely a book that claims to be from God, that explains both the meaning of world conditions and the purpose of life, and that shows how our problems will be solved is worthy of consideration.\n\nEvidences of inspiration\n\nIt is filled with prophecies reflecting detailed knowledge of the future—something impossible for humans\n\n2 Pet. 1:20, 21: “No prophecy of Scripture springs from any private interpretation. For prophecy was at no time brought by man’s will, but men spoke from God as they were borne along by holy spirit.”\n\n· Prophecy: Isa. 44:24, 27, 28; 45:1-4: “Jehovah . . . the One saying to the watery deep, ‘Be evaporated; and all your rivers I shall dry up’; the One saying of Cyrus, ‘He is my shepherd, and all that I delight in he will completely carry out’; even in my saying of Jerusalem, ‘She will be rebuilt,’ and of the temple, ‘You will have your foundation laid.’ This is what Jehovah has said to his anointed one, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have taken hold of, to subdue before him nations, so that I may ungird even the hips of kings; to open before him the two-leaved doors, so that even the gates will not be shut: ‘Before you I myself shall go, and the swells of land I shall straighten out. The copper doors I shall break in pieces, and the iron bar
278674
Genesis. Start at the beginning, end at the end. Many Christian denominations (and individual Christians) will decide for themselves whether to take the Bible literally, figuratively, or take some parts literally and others figuratively, or even ignore some parts altogether. To decide for yourself, you should read all of it so you can make an informed decision.
324902
In one answer you say you "Take the Bible literally".\nThen you answer lots of questions with the nice phrase "You are an idiot".\nDoes the Bible tell you to do that?
275460
The bible is a book of stories passed down thro generations. Don't take it seriously
279037
Mild answers are non-confrontational. Sorry, I'm not much of a bible guy, though turn the other cheek comes to mind.
587935
I've always thought so..  Even if Jesus did exist (not saying he didn't), seems to me that the church will read the bible how it wants to, and what is that if not an attempt to control the masses and force them to behave acceptably?
785632
A better answer would have simply shared the BIBLE's point of view on the matter and allowed the listener/reader to decide for himself what God's thoughts are on the matter. An offended person would be offended at the divine Author rather than at the answerer.\n\nLearn more:\nhttp://watchtower.org/e/20050715/article_02.htm
994244
The Bible is not the silver bullet, of course. I do believe in God and in Jesus's ressurection, however, there are parts of the Bible that sound like pure nonsense to me while other parts contain great, true wisdoms everyone should live by.
742993
I think that this is the biggest problem with Christianity.  If you take the whole bible literally, than you aren’t making any logical sense, but it you take parts of it metaphorically than you have to pick and chose which parts to take seriously.\n\nIt’s all pretty self-serving if you ask me.
228267
Of course.  All of the bible has been translated and re-translated hundreds of times, and all subject to the political and social morals of the monks keeping the records through the centuries. Don't kid yourself about it being "God's Word" and thus unchangeable and infallible.
1011217
Great question...I'm stealing it for debate class. Also, what if it is someone who does not acknowledge the bible (any other religon) do they need to swear on their own text?
333361
There is no "true" bible only versions of which have been shaped by powerful men to reflect thier own beliefs. There are several ways to interperet the bible, but the thing that is universal among all religions it's this. Be faithful, honest, and caring. Help your fellow man and do not steal from him. Take care of yourelf and the members of your family, ask forgivness for the stuff you screw up. Be a good person and you will be rewarded in whatever heaven or afterlife you believe in.