Find Religion

Isn’t it funny how one writer can change the way you think about life? That’s how I’ve always felt, and growing up, I’ve bee influenced and motivated by a number of inspiring writers, to whom I now feel indebted. Dear reader, thank you for being here, because I hope I can become such a writer to you. This is the first of many posts in which I’d like to hold a little conversation about religion, and I hope that you’ll continue with me every step of the way.

Speaking of influences, I have to admit that the Bible was one of the most motivating pieces of literature I’ve ever read. Now, I’m speaking clearly from a writer’s standpoint. Even if you don’t believe in Jesus and Moses and Noah and all those other dead guys, it’s one hell of a story, don’t you think? The Bible is kind of like a big soap opera. I mean, think about it. Abandoned babies. Miraculous healings. Questionable parentages. It’s all on Days of Our Lives. And it’s all in the Bible as well.

Which I suppose, brings me to a more important question. What in the Bible is fact and what is fiction? This question can be asked of any of the Holy Scriptures from any of the major world religions. Point in case—the Bible speaks of a great flood and a man who protects God’s creatures by building a ship and saving two of every species. At the end of this fantastic tale, God gives us the rainbow as a promise that such an event will never occur again. Is this what actually happened, or is this a bedtime story that the Jews used to explain the appearance of rainbows after a storm? Is this the news or a short story?

Truth be told, I don’t think we’ll ever know. Scientists can prove that at one time much more of this planet was covered with water than is now. Literature scholars can prove that a great flood story was told in many different religions. The actual event? Well, that’s a matter of faith.

And faith is a whole other subject, my friends, and one that I’ll be sure to talk about next time.

Until then, I urge you to think about the Bible and about other religious texts not only as spiritual guidelines, but also as literature. Even if you are not religious, these books have real value in out society, and are worth reading, as they are a reflection of our past. Religion is largely about a search for the truth in ourselves, and knowing where we come from is the first step to achieving that goal.

Happy Reading,

Alli