Self Ed: Importance of reading religious works

[Pooh Bear]

I have been looking at the books for high school in the WTM with a view to reading them. I noticed that a few of them are what I would call religious works. The Bible, the Koran, Athanasius, Augustine and others.

I myself am an atheist. I have never read the Bible, the Koran or any other religious works. Would reading these books be beneficial to me? What I mean by that is, will they help me to understand other works of literature, understand a religious persons point of view?

I noticed that Indian and Chinese works are not on the list, well the ancient list any way. I have not looked at the other lists in depth yet. Would reading some of the great works from these civilizations be good as well? If so, what would be your top choices to read.

[Laura Corin]

If you are living in a Western country or want to read/understand Western art and literature, then a good background in the Bible is essential, I think. Reading the Gospels would give you a good start - I like using the King James Version for this, as there are so many echoes of the language in later writing. I would also add in a simplified account of the Old Testament, for familiarity. A DK Family or Children's Bible would be an easy read.

I hope others will respond on the other Christian texts and on the Koran, etc.. For China/Japan/Korea, I recommend some cartoon books on Taoism (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Tao-Speaks-Lao-Tzus-Whispers-Wisdom/dp/0385472595/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1249396958&sr=1-1), Zhuangzi (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Zhuangzi-Speaks-Nature-Chih-chung-Tsai/dp/0691008825/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1249396876&sr=8-1), Zen (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Wisdom-Zen-Masters-Quest-Enlightenment/dp/0385487436/ref=sr_1_27?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1249397131&sr=1-27) and Confucius (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Confucius-Speaks-Chih-Chung-Tsai/dp/0385480342/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1249397026&sr=1-8).

Best wishes

Laura

[Laurel-in-CA]

The Bible, I think, is important in understanding Western literature. Also, it is the text that shaped the minds of many western thinkers, religious and otherwise; either they agreed and tried to apply it or they disagreed and tried to discredit, escape, or provide alternative models for reality/life/eternity. The Koran, of course, can be seen as one of those reactions to the Bible - and it certainly has an impact on thinking and politics and actions in our times. Yes, I think reading these would help you understand a believer's point of view, though not completely since you are reading them without a believer's heart.

The eastern literature has had less impact over a shorter term on the west. I think many of these ideas started to "hit" western society only in the late 1900s. On the other hand, they have certainly shaped asian cultures, and in that setting have had much the same impact as the Bible or the Koran in the west. So, how much reading time do you have? (smile)

[Pam L in Mid Tenn]

Yes. I think so much of society today , in all cultures, has references to religious works. In order to be truly educated, I think, one must examine all aspects of culture and some aspects of all cultures.

You don't have to read the whole bible. Reading St. John in the New Testament will give you a view of Christianity, while reading Deutoronomy in the Old Testament will give you a glimspe of the Jewish people. The Psalms are probably the most beautiful poetry in the world.

Likewise, I'm sure there are passages in the Koran that will help you better understand the Muslim world. I think the point of learning about different religions is to better understand all people groups.

[Carol in Cal.]

I had a huge advantage because I had grown up hearing the King James Bible just about every day, and studying it in religion classes at my Lutheran schools.

I could recognize allusions without even thinking about them. There are far too many in English literature to annotate them all. Other kids who were not familiar with the KJV had no idea how much they were missing.

[Ester Maria]

I'm not religious either, yet I think The Bible should be read (perhaps not in its entirely and in details, but at least skimmed through, got a general overview of and read the most important excerpts) for the sake of general education.
It's a source of the many commonplaces of our culture, and it eases the understanding of many literary and works of art, not to mention how it helps the intertextual elements in so many writings, and to handle all the allusions to the Biblical motives in the society. It's just present everywhere, so I think one should be at least familiar with it.

I'm of quite secular Jewish origin, while DH comes from a little more observant home. We aren't religious at all, but we do the Bible with our daughters for cultural reasons - not only the OT, but we plan on doing the NT as well. We don't want them to miss out on education we think it's important, so even while technically atheists, we familiarize them with the text. :)

[katilac]

In addition to literature, some understanding of religious ideas is important when studying history - - for the majority of history, there is no 'separation of church and state.' It is all intertwined.

[CynthiaOK]

We have used the selections suggested here (http://www.thegreatbooks.com/courses/ancient) for adding in eastern religious works.

I do think that one should be educated in the religious works because of the great influence they have had and still have in our lives. I don't think one can separate religion and literature at any point in time.