Does anyone actually take the Bible literally?

Question

Just to clear stuff up since I'm asking this here I mean do any people answering the question. I am just curious because of how people like that effect the reputation of Christians. And if you do then where are you from? Is it just the supposed bible belt that takes things literally or are people diverse in their literal beliefs?

Answer 1

mm... yes.

Answer 2

Yes, some people do actually take the Bible literally.

Answer 3

taking the bible literally would be like believing a fairy tale imo.  

Answer 4

yes..........MILLions believe God!!!!!!!!!! He is perfect..

Answer 5

There are people who do, especially where I live in the Bible belt, and especially those who belong to the older generations.  

Answer 6

I am in the Bible belt.  I don't think anyone takes everything in the Bible literally.  I mean, half the book of Revelation is symbolism of things that will come.  I have questions myself if the Genesis account of creation and the snake in the garden is symbolic or literal.  Sometimes it is clear when the Bible is being literal or metaphorical.  Other times, you have to pray for revelation from God.  I do take the account of Noah's Ark literally even though I once didn't.  I had a crazy life experienced that opened my mind to the possibility of a miracle that could have made this possible.

Again, this question is too simple.  Nobody takes the whole Bible literally.  It needs to be more specific, like, "Does anyone actually take the story of Noah's Ark" literally.  

Answer 7

yes many many do. I do.  New Jersey.

Answer 8

Apparently, there are people who do.  But, aside from arguing about it in forums like this, I'm not sure how much of a difference it makes.  I wouldn't think it would help you decide if you're going to go to McDonald's, Burger King or Wendy's depending on if you think the Earth is only 6000 years old.

Answer 9

i'm not even christian, and i do. i mean, it was changed so many times, but yea, i take it seriously, in islam, we have to respect all the books. the bible, the Torah, everything, b/c their god' books.

Answer 10

Some parts are literal while other are symbolic and others figurative.

Funny how when Jesus talks about eating His Flesh and drinking His Blood people who claim to take the Bible literally say that this is symbolic although Jesus doesn't use symbolic language when describing this in John.  As a matter of fact He said it is a "hard teaching" and many of the 72 disciples left because of this.  

Anyway, you must know what is written and in what context.  

I hope this was helpful.

Peace,

tman

Answer 11

Kevin...And I say this with all due respect.. I would seriously question if you even were a Christian if you did not take it literally .. Yes I do take it literally..but would like to make it clear that some of it is symbolic and metaphorically written..especially prophetic books of the bible like  Revelations and the book of Danial...Hope this helped....God bless you !

From upstate NY not the bible belt

Answer 12

Bible thumpers love to imagine they take the Bible literally - but you know - they don't burn witches anymore - and I recall it being said somewhere in the Bible - "Thou shalt not suffer a Witch to live".  

But burning the witches has fallen out of fashion now.  So the Bible Thumps better get busy and start collecting firewood because the Bible STILL SAYS to kill them.

Answer 13

There are two billion Christians...

You know one of them is crazy as an acorn.  

Answer 14

I believe the Bible literally, except, of course, for the symbolism of Prophecy, which was *meant* to be symbolic. But I believe in a literal interpretation of Genesis, if that's what you mean.

Answer 15

I read the Bible w/ my heart and God's help via the Holy Spirit.  (And I know those who are not Christians do not understand what I just said, but that's ok.)  When I read the Bible I take it for what it says.  I always pray before I read God's Word.  I pray for the wisdon and knowledge to get out of it what God is actually saying.  I read more then it's words, I read it's meaning and I apply on my heart and in my life.  I really don't expect a lot on here to understand, but, again, that's ok.  I used to not understand it either.  A true Christian applies the Word of God to his/her life.  A "church goer" (that is what I call someone who hides behind the label of Christianity, but does not adhere to the complete beliefs and morals of true Christianity as explained to us in the Gospels of Jesus)...they only shout verses to make themselves look smart and holy and to make others look bad.  Church goers belittle non-Christians and live a double life.  You probably know some so called Christians that are saints on Sunday, but satan throughout the week.  They are the ones that give true Christians a bad name.  They don't apply God's Word.  I try my hardest to adhere to the Bible.  I pray that people notice a difference in me for the better.  That they see that by how I live for God that there is some one greater then ourselves who is worthy of praise and glory and honor...and he is the great I Am, God the Father.

Oh, I almost forgot...and I'm from So. Illinios to answer your other question.

Answer 16

People come here and say that they take the Bible literally.

I honestly and sincerely doubt their claim.

I think what they're trying to say is that they believe the Bible to be the word of God, and inerrant, rather than that they're rattling off a quick answer before they go to the town square to watch the public stoning of an adulteress.

The true meaning of the word "Literal" seems to have been skewed somewhat in recent times.

Answer 17

Frankly, I cannot see that it is possible to do so.  I think the people who claim they do have some intense cognitive dissonance to deal with.  Their definition of the term "literal" gets very stretched out of shape.

Answer 18

Many people misinterpret the Bible so who really knows?

Answer 19

Gentle correction. It is affect, not effect. They mean different things. I will effect a change, meaning I will cause a change, would be proper.

Even people who claim they take all the Bible literally can be demonstrated to not actually do so. Personally, I feel that while there may be spiritual lessons throughout the Bible, much of it is symbolism and allegory. Some things, such as the story of creation, were simple stories of very scientifically complex realities and were told in the terms that the scientifically naive people of the time could accept and understand. Trying to make them fit today is a grave mistake.

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If any religion rejected Science and knowledge, that religion was false. Science and Religion should go forward together; indeed, they should be like two fingers of one hand.

(Abdu'l-Baha, Abdu'l-Baha in London, p. 70)

Sciences of former ages and philosophies of the past are useless today.

(Abdu'l-Baha, Baha'i World Faith - Abdu'l-Baha Section, p. 224)

The fourth teaching of Bahá'u'lláh is the agreement of religion and science. God has endowed man with intelligence and reason whereby he is required to determine the verity of questions and propositions. If religious beliefs and opinions are found contrary to the standards of science they are mere superstitions and imaginations; for the antithesis of knowledge is ignorance, and the child of ignorance is superstition. Unquestionably there must be agreement between true religion and science. If a question be found contrary to reason, faith and belief in it are impossible and there is no outcome but wavering and vacillation.

(Abdu'l-Baha, Baha'i World Faith - Abdu'l-Baha Section, p. 239)

Answer 20

Actually many more do, Not just in the Bible Belt, and we are spreading the Gospel and their is nothing you can do about it but take it