Religion Debate

Following on from DD's thread, it occurred to me that a lot of the symbology used in the Bible is very specific to a given culture.

Take the terms 'water of life' and 'rivers of living water' for example. Imagine you're living in an arid area where you literally live or die on the strength of the annual rainfall. Those words would have every depth of meaning that the author could wish.

Now imagine you lived in England. If you're really thirsty, stand outside and wait 10 minutes. If in Ireland, wait 5 minutes. The metaphor kind of loses its edge.

Same with 'the lost sheep'. Much more meaningful to a shepherd than your average samurai.

I don't know if there's anything to debate here, but these are the thoughts that I thunk.

(I'm big fan of LOLcats!!).

I have often thought about this too, the relationship between culture&religion. Not just regards to christianitybut other faiths too.

Yeah...we have over 100 000 lakes in our tiny country so...

Why would Higher Power(s) be so pitiful that they would tie their rules and message to one culture(and one time and one language)?

<(I'm big fan of LOLcats!!).>

Kitteh is queen uv evrysings ;o)

<Why would Higher Power(s) be so pitiful that they would tie their rules and message to one culture(and one time and one language)?>

Well, going on the great big assumption that there IS a higher power, I think it would tell every culture it's story in a way that particular culture would understand. Eg in Israel, God might have said 'I'll bring rain'. In England, God would be very popular if he could make the sun shine occasionally.

It's all about knowing your audience ;o)

ROTFL!!! The image my mind conjured up of a Samurai, his hair back in that loop you always see in paintings, his expression bemused, in battle-ready position, his sword aimed at a handful of lambs, looking perplexed themselves, and saying Baa?

............gomen nasai!!!

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"I am a wizard, not a saint." - Harry Dresden

  States with legal same-sex marriage: Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa, Washington D.C.*  

LOL!

Mind you though, I don't think Christianity was compatible with Bushido. Pretty much opposing ideals.