The original bible is a scroll which is a guide to avoid evil and not a completely book as you have seen it in stores. Check the S.F Official Church to see a copy of it.

I see the Bible as being a mixture of: - stories and alegories, which although they have important moral lessons to teach, or perhaps make us think a litle about the nature of existence and good and evil, are not meant to be taken as literal truth. - Interpretations based on information available at the time. Such as the seven-days creation story. Without the scientific knowledge and reasoning and development we currently have available to us, such a story might seem a reasonable guess at something (creation) for which very little information was available. These should be read in much the same way as we read the creation stories of the Ancient Egyptians and Greeks- as an interpretation by a more scientifically limited society. -Philosophies of individuals- where prominent writers, psychologists (used loosely) and theorists of the day gave some of their views about issues such as morality, relationships and our existence in the same way a newspaper columnist or radio talk show host might give theirs today (hence some elements of the Bible appear to contradict others) - Genuine history: events recorded at the time which those writing felt to be important and worthy of note. Overall I think the Bible is a very important book. I think like any philosophical work it invites us to think about our origins, our morals, our duties, and has some worthwhile lessons based on experience still relevant today. I don't think it should be read as an account of historical fact which should never, ever be questioned.

Certainly some old the Old Testament is myths or instructional stories which may or may not have happened.

No, it is all true, down to the last detail. Of course, and rather obviously, this is MY opinion. I have a VERY deep faith that the Bible is God Breathed. Good question. God Bless, <:))))<>< ~~Since the Torah is part of the Old Testament, then it is also part of my Bible. My church suggests the use of the New International Version, although many in our church use many different versions, IE: The Message, KJV, and others. To me they are ALL God Breathed, whether Catholic, Jewish, Pentacostal, Methodist, Baptist, Southern Baptist, JW's, and so on. God speaks to each and everyone through His Word in the Bible. What is important is to read, study, and know the Word-at least in my own personal belief.

When you first hear of the bible, you are told that this is the truth, instructions on how to live. Only you can deside for your self if it applies to your daily life.

to say the bible is a historically accurate document is a fact that is impossible to defend. For a document to be historically accurate, the facts stated in the book would simply not contradict themselves much like gospels in the bible do. And anyone who has read the new testament knows im right.

No, I do not. -In the Master's service. Thank you and God bless you!

I believe that the stories are connected with myths of previous religions and belief systems.There is too many concrete parallels with Greek,Roman,Egyptian,and Persian Gods ,Goddesses,and mythical figures,and the relationship to characters in the bible.

You mean like a man turning water into wine, rising from the dead, feeding hundreds of people with a single loaf of bread, or being the son of an all knowing God and allowing himself to be crucified? Maybe one or two...

I think it may have alot to do with what Bible you are talking about. If its the Holy Bible that is the word of GOD. Or if its a version that has had more added or taken away from it. I believe in God & His Word. And he tells that it is a sin to add or take away from His Word. As far as myths goes. Right now America is coming very close to fore felling a part of the book of Zechariah. To see what I am talking about just go to www.hallindsey.org and search for the topic about Zechariah's Warning to Bush and Condi....

No, I do not. I believe with all my heart that it is the truth, the revealed Word of God to humans.

Of course it does. Talking snakes with legs, talking donkeys, angels shagging human women who then give birth to giants, jacob wrestling all night with god himself (although the bible states no man has ever seen god), the sun standing still in the sky for hours so more slaughter can be done during a little battle, ladies turning into pillars of salt, a flood covering the whole world and disappearing without a trace, folk with supernatural strength attached to their hair-length, talking bushes that burn without burning, people living to be 800 years old and so on and so on. To insist the bible is the 'real, factual, historical' truth in everything it mentions makes, in my opinion, a mockery of whatever truths are buried in its stories.

Who is the Greater? (A) He who is in You. or {B} He who is in the World. If you believe the answer is ...[A] Then your question about the Bible containing myths is answered. Check out 1 John Chapter 4 V-4.........

Is the Pope Catholic? Yes it does. However, because something is based in the ancient mythos doesn't mean its wrong/bad. The problem comes from the 3rd century (we are still living in the shadows of it). When these myths became historic fact, Christian "truth" became an absolute and all others were considered false or of the devil. Seeking enlightenment fell away as the literalist church gained political power and sold the population on how sinful they were. Without the church and its method of salvation, sinners were doomed to hell. This continued (and intensified) after the Protestant reformation. Look at many of the members of this site, not only is the Bible 100% accurate in every detail and "breathed of God", it must only be read in the King James Version (KJV). All other versions of the same book are false??? This has more to do with tradition formed over generations and legalism. These literal (simplified) interpretations lose many of the esoteric truths that pre-date Christianity by thousands of years. Most Christians don't know the "Word" referred to in the Gospel of John is "Logos" in Greek. Those that do, don't understand its meaning and how it relates to the greater whole of the cosmos. Know Thyself.

Job is probably myth, but maybe based in reality. The majority is very factual. I believe the creation story is significantly simplified, to fit the audience Moses was explaining it to--uneducated slaves. If you want myth, read the Apocrypha.

I believe the bible to be a work of fiction.

The Bible is basically a collection of myths and fairy tales written by ignorant men who lived thousands of years ago. It has been brought into our world for political and sociological reasons.

Hi this is jim, Nowhere has it been written that we can not go beyond believing. It has been written in the New Testament that much of what was written in the Old Testament is an allegory for us to be prepared for the introduction of the New Covenant. To go beyond believing, it is simple. Consume the scriptures and parables, then pay attention to the situations around you. You will notice that you are living out the parables and learning/growing in the process. You can believe in something, but when you experience something, it becomes yours. quick allegory: You have a brand new car. It is past due for an oil change. No worry. It is easy to believe that the oil is ok. Now you have had the car for maybe three years. It is past due for an oil change. Some Concern. It takes a greater amount of faith that the oil is ok. Now your car is old and has high mileage. It is past due for an oil change. Now there is cause for concern. You have been nickled and dimed by this car and even had to replace other dashboard guages. It is very possible your oil gauge is not reading correctly. You struggle to believe that everything is ok. So, you pull the car over, pop the hood and pull out the dipstick. You see that the oil is ok. Now if someone asked you, "Do you believe that your oil is ok?" it would be ridiculous to answer, "I believe." Now YOU KNOW! Same with consuming the scriptures. Starting living them out... FATHER BLESS jim

No I don't. And I have always been intrigued that archaeologists and many other researchers have used the Bible as a guide and jumping off point for their searching out of places and names and other historical things. They have found towns right where they are supposed to be even when they doubted their existence. They have doubted people's existence and then they find something with the name of that person. It's amazed me that the Hebrews were the only people's who knew the earth was round and hung out there on nothing, not supported by a giant turtle or a big god. I am intrigues with the accuracy of the prediction of the march of worldly powers as it relates to the Hebrews.

why ask why , either you believe or you don't ...why was the bible written ..for some reason , someone wanted to log events of the world as they saw it then to be documented for us to see now..another thought would phlosaphy- prophacy...then enter the book of revelations + notradomas theories + the myan calander ect.(were these godly apperations or myths?, getting way off the subjet , look at the world today with all the global conflicts over religious beliefs , disagreements, never ending fighting over a strip of "holy" land. Why is ther so much violence over "religious thinking" or is it plain GREED OF MANKIND Is 2012 it ? or another Y2K hoacks I am not a bible thumper , I just see things the way they are...an right now things ain't good pardon my spelling and grammer , but one thing does seem prevalient, all religions look up to something ! right or wrong myth or fact the wars in the vs the wars today , everyone should belive in something , and get back on track thanks for letting me share my un-edjucated opinion

I think it mostly has myths