Should Holy/Sacred text be taken literally

We are offering a perfect world and a perfect life. Here on planet Earth? Sorry I don't believe that is ever going to happen?
 
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Who is to say we do not live in a perfect world or have a perfect life when we may not be asking the right questions Perhaps if we knew what perfection is we might have something to compare with. I believe life is perfect and fair on all levels of existence but we are afraid of what perfection is. just because you feel life should be this or that, you, me and everyone else hasn't about life beyond his or her own opinion, emotions are a poor substitute for truth, don't confuse the two.
 
No I do not believe imperfection is an illusion but merely imperfection exist through the eye of the beholder. God may think there is no cause for alarm regarding this world as the world is doing its world perfectly. We might disagree based on our interpretation the world messed up.
 
KnowSelf said:
Bible college taught the Bible, God's word should be taken literally without alteration, however, how many times has the Bible language been updated and/revised or interpreted for better comprehension?
Despite these modifications should the bible be taken literally? Examples; the creation, miracles, Jesus Son of God-crucifixion and resurrection, salvation , sin/forgiveness etc. ?
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I find that when reading ancient texts it's good to allow for both literal and metaphorical interpretations. It's not always easy to know what the original authors intended.
 
Cino said:
Zen prides itself to be a transmission outside of scripture or tradition...
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The downside of that is that people can just make stuff up, and pass it off as Zen. It can all get rather "new-agey".
 
Mrs Malaprop said:
It's not always easy to know what the original authors intended.
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That is where if we have knowledge of the societal issues, who the authors audience is, etc cone into play eh?

But the interpretation if the text is always contextual with the reader I mean, I may have written this with my meaning but when you read it thru your lenses formed by your life it will spark your understanding maybe far different from my intent. But who cares about my intent? This path is all about your path to enlightenment, your connecting with your higher self to access the divine... My words are simply gravel then...
 
KnowSelf said:
... the world is doing its world perfectly...
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There's a lot of mileage to be had from this. The world is finite; the world is contingent. The 'perfect' will always be an ideal.

For me the question revolves around peace rather than perfection. Can we find perfection in the world? No, it's an illusion if we do. Can we find peace? Yes ... but then, is that an illusion?

The Serenity Prayer comes to mind, and Epictetus wrote: "Make the best use of what is in your power, and take the rest as it happens."
 
Thomas said:
or me the question revolves around peace rather than perfection. Can we find perfection in the world? No, it's an illusion if we do. Can we find peace? Yes ... but then, is that an illusion?
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Can peace be perfected?
 
wil said:
That is where if we have knowledge of the societal issues, who the authors audience is, etc cone into play eh?

But the interpretation if the text is always contextual with the reader I mean, I may have written this with my meaning but when you read it thru your lenses formed by your life it will spark your understanding maybe far different from my intent. But who cares about my intent? This path is all about your path to enlightenment, your connecting with your higher self to access the divine... My words are simply gravel then...
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I do care about the intent of the authors, trying to understand what they were really trying to communicate. Why bother reading these texts at all if you're not interested in that stuff?
 
Mrs Malaprop said:
I do care about the intent of the authors, trying to understand what they were really trying to communicate. Why bother reading these texts at all if you're not interested in that stuff?
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Much if sacred text is song and prose..

Think of what the intent of a song writer vs the meaning you have imbued to a song.

To me they are all worth exploring, the literal, the parable, the authors intent, the conditions of society (war v peace, famine v prosperity, matriarchy v patriarchy, slave v slave holder).

Heck there is plenty if scripture that I have a completely differing understanding an value that I get out of it today vs when I was a child...that I see differently when I am sick vs when I am well...scripture to me evolves with me...your mileage may vary
 
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