is the bible real at all???

[MichelleAnn]

KMart,

Why are the Iliad and the Bible so different? They are both magnificent works written by people living in ancient civilizations. If you look strictly at the fact that both are stories, relaying the travels and tribulations of the characters in them, as well as interventions by divine powers, they are actually quite similar. The major difference, of course, is that the Iliad did not spring forth an associated religion. However, Greek mythology is strewn about in both the Iliad and the Odyssey, which IS a belief system followed by the people of that day. So, could you explain how they are so different? And again, no need for name-calling to anyone.

[AttentionKMartShoppers]

If you look at anything superficially, you can find similiarties with anything. Heck, if you look at Jesus and Buddha, you can find out "hey, they both had something about washing feet!" Or, if you get more absurd, you can say "hey, they both had feet!"

But similarities instantly fade. Nobody believed everything in the Iliad and Oddysey really happenned-Oddsey was used to establish relationships with new worlds to Greece-many places claim, or are claimed to be, founded by Odysseus for example. Then, you have the fact the story changed for centuries until Homer wrote em down. And the stories still contineud to change actually. And, then the gods are a bunch of nonsense...I mean, they are not gods-they are finite, they were born...etc, etc...so, really, similarities are superficial.

[MichelleAnn]

Are you trying to tell me that everyone believes that every occurrence in the Bible actually happened? If that is so, you are sadly mistaken. So the Bible and the Iliad are still similar on that logic; not everyone takes the stories in the Bible literally.

Both works can be seen as comments on human morality and mortality as well as a comment on the society of the day. They both teach valuable lessons by which to live life... faith, courage, temptation... the list can go on.

And you don't, logically, think it is possible that stories in the books of the Bible were changed a few times in the 1200 years it took to consolidate them into one piece of work? You don't think that maybe church officials or other authorities had a hand in deciding what was and what was not appropriate to put in it? Again, still similar.

And wasn't Jesus the mortal son of God put here on Earth? Huh, sounds kind of like a few characters from Greek mythology if you ask me.

Plus, the Bible is loaded with descriptions of dragons, beasts and other horrendous creatures, just like the Iliad and the Odyssey (Scylla and Carybdis, Cyclops, etc.)

I think these two literary works sound quite similar and I don't feel that your reasons for disagreeing are sufficient or valid.

[BGoodForGoodSake]

Are you trying to tell me that everyone believes that every occurrence in the Bible actually happened? If that is so, you are sadly mistaken. So the Bible and the Iliad are still similar on that logic; not everyone takes the stories in the Bible literally.

Both works can be seen as comments on human morality and mortality as well as a comment on the society of the day. They both teach valuable lessons by which to live life... faith, courage, temptation... the list can go on.

And you don't, logically, think it is possible that stories in the books of the Bible were changed a few times in the 1200 years it took to consolidate them into one piece of work? You don't think that maybe church officials or other authorities had a hand in deciding what was and what was not appropriate to put in it? Again, still similar.

And wasn't Jesus the mortal son of God put here on Earth? Huh, sounds kind of like a few characters from Greek mythology if you ask me.

Plus, the Bible is loaded with descriptions of dragons, beasts and other horrendous creatures, just like the Iliad and the Odyssey (Scylla and Carybdis, Cyclops, etc.)

I think these two literary works sound quite similar and I don't feel that your reasons for disagreeing are sufficient or valid.

Throw in Ovid too. It more contemporary with the New testament.

[Believer]

Are you trying to tell me that everyone believes that every occurrence in the Bible actually happened? If that is so, you are sadly mistaken. So the Bible and the Iliad are still similar on that logic; not everyone takes the stories in the Bible literally.

Both works can be seen as comments on human morality and mortality as well as a comment on the society of the day. They both teach valuable lessons by which to live life... faith, courage, temptation... the list can go on.

And you don't, logically, think it is possible that stories in the books of the Bible were changed a few times in the 1200 years it took to consolidate them into one piece of work? You don't think that maybe church officials or other authorities had a hand in deciding what was and what was not appropriate to put in it? Again, still similar.

And wasn't Jesus the mortal son of God put here on Earth? Huh, sounds kind of like a few characters from Greek mythology if you ask me.

Plus, the Bible is loaded with descriptions of dragons, beasts and other horrendous creatures, just like the Iliad and the Odyssey (Scylla and Carybdis, Cyclops, etc.)

I think these two literary works sound quite similar and I don't feel that your reasons for disagreeing are sufficient or valid.

Sorry to interject, but MichelleAnn, have YOU really done research on the Bible, I mean, really do the research? The Iliad is the work of greek mythology. How is what you wrote:

And wasn't Jesus the mortal son of God put here on Earth? Huh, sounds kind of like a few characters from Greek mythology if you ask me.

known to be TRUE? How is Jesus a myth? I have done my research, perhaps you need to do it as well before making outrageous claims like that. The Bible is a work of different methods of literature (obviously), but then why has all other pagan gods and sons been discarded as myth after looking into it's "authenticity" and the Bible hasn't? Because the Bible works, it just does. Look at ALL the gods and sons and compare them to the Christian God and Son, you will notice that the Christian God and Son are quite different and aren't loaded with sex symbolics. Be the atheist you are, I don't care, but actually DO research on the Bible and Jesus. Don't make assumptions without evidence or proof to back your claims up. And might you think, if the Bible was myth, wouldn't it have been discarded by now? So many close-minded people, sheesh!

[AttentionKMartShoppers]

Are you trying to tell me that everyone believes that every occurrence in the Bible actually happened? If that is so, you are sadly mistaken. So the Bible and the Iliad are still similar on that logic; not everyone takes the stories in the Bible literally.

I've noticed, didn't need to remind me. ANd, they are similar on that poor logic.

Both works can be seen as comments on human morality and mortality as well as a comment on the society of the day. They both teach valuable lessons by which to live life... faith, courage, temptation... the list can go on.

That's the theme of the Bible...wow, Biblical scholar we got here.

And you don't, logically, think it is possible that stories in the books of the Bible were changed a few times in the 1200 years it took to consolidate them into one piece of work? You don't think that maybe church officials or other authorities had a hand in deciding what was and what was not appropriate to put in it? Again, still similar.

Can you give me evidence to the contrary that the Old Testament and New Testament were changed, and how one person deciding what to have written down could get away with it, when there are many many copies of the Old and New Testament. http://www.leaderu.com has some good stuff under theology I believe, read it...

Because there is evidence to the contrary.

And wasn't Jesus the mortal son of God put here on Earth? Huh, sounds kind of like a few characters from Greek mythology if you ask me

Pardon my frankness....but...HOW SHALLOW ARE YOU?

The heroes in the Greek myths were sons born when Zeus felt like raining on lonely or beautiful women, or appearing as a man and doing it himself. BUT THE DIFFERENCE IS CLEAR, read it, CLEAR. Jesus and God are THE SAME, Jesus did not begin to exist when He was conveived in Mary-He existed before, as part of the Trinity. I mean, Jesus says it quite clearly Himself. I'm doing it in caps since you seem to overlook the obvious...so, hopefully you won't miss the more than obvious.

Plus, the Bible is loaded with descriptions of dragons, beasts and other horrendous creatures, just like the Iliad and the Odyssey (Scylla and Carybdis, Cyclops, etc.)

Skin deep thinking.

I think these two literary works sound quite similar and I don't feel that your reasons for disagreeing are sufficient or valid.

You judge books by their covers don't you.