should all religious reading materials remain fictitious?

Are you saying that the Bible and the Koran are found on the Fiction shelves in a public library? I must admit that I have never noticed that but then I rarely go to those shelves anyway.

The problem here is that a lot of the Bible at least the Tanach has been proven by archeology in recent years. The christian testament hasn't had as much archeological proof but the Tanach has. The Adam and Eve story is part parable because there were more than just 2 people in the beginning, but it is basically true because it was passed down from the earliest people, way before Mosses. The flood may not have covered the whole world, but it did cover the whole "known" world. Even the orientals have tales about a great flood and the building of an ark to survive it. Something must have happened at that time. I don't think the Tanach needs to be re~written. I think that modern man needs to take a look back at his roots and look away from technology every once in awhile. Shalom~Adoniah

I don't think all religious materials remain fictitious although we are in a modern age, there are truths in those teachings in reading materials. it can also be re-written as long as the thought remains.

You are painting with a rather broad brush here or is it a narrow one? If you are referring only to the Bible you have to read it for what it is and understand how it came to be the book it is today. In the late third century and early fourth century CE the Emperor Constantine had legalized Christianity and favored it with his patronage with the hope that it would unify his empire only to find that there were deep divisions in Christianity. Constantine called a series of councils to unify Christian belief and out of these councils emerged the interpretation Bible we have today. Even then the Bible was recognized as being composed of parables that were meant to teach and not be interpreted ab being literally true.

For me, that's where my faith is really tested. And besides, the people in the Bible are not fictional characters. They were real. Maybe they just sound a bit "unrealistic", but they are real. Perhaps it has something to do with how the original language in the scriptures were translated into the language that we know now. Somehow the real events or the original way of how it was written was altered in way because of the translations. For me, there is no need for the bible to sound or look "realistic" for me to know that God and in his words are true and real.

I see no reason in re-writing them, considering within their texts they even have verses that tell people they will never be tampered with or altered(or something like that). However, I do think society should view them in the same light as Greek mythologoy: fictional. I do not understand how some time ago the ancients believed very deeply in the gods, goddesses, and demi-gods of that now deemed "mythology"; yet people can openly accept without reasonable doubt (somehow) the existance of god (particularly the one of Christianity, Judaism, and Islam). I think until this god is proven, people should not be parading around quoting "his" scripture and worshipping him. Then again, this would infringe on free-will, which is basically the basis of my own beliefs. The reality for me is that I wish people would stop being so reliant on what a book tells them, especially considering so much of it can not be backed up in any significant way.

I believe that back in the time the bible was written the stories were written to get things across to the people. I don't think a lot of people would agree with the bible being rewritten for the day and time we are in. It is believed that the bible was written by the hands of God. I don't know whether it would make any difference if it was rewritten or not though. Either you believe or you don't. It is that simple to me.

Hiya; Great topic!! :-) I'm a Hindu and as far as Hinduism is concerned, I'm sure all stories are fictitious! However, again as far as Hinduism is concerned, I'm sure all these stories were crafted only to inspire followers. For instance, we have a highly revered religious book 'Ramayana'. In it, Lord Rama's life is highly ideal, in all aspects. Especially, Lord Rama and his wife's showcase of fidelity. There are in fact many such inspirational instances, like the way Rama's disciple Hanuman respects his guru. In another great book 'Bhagawad Gita' it is shown how a person should do his duties and strike balance between duties and righteous acts; by citing the example of a confused Arjuna. So the bottomline is that although untrue, these books should be respected and people should be encouraged to believe them. Because we cannot be sure that if they will take them in the right stride if they come to know the truth.