I haven't even been to a church since before I can remember. I do listen to what others say on certain interpretations in the attempt to find what makes the most sense. My view is that the Bible is mostly literal, so the interpretations can't be too separated from what the words say and mean.
So, lets look at it this way: The Bible is an amalgamation of Historical fact, and allegories, meant to give spiritual compromise to many cultures the Church wished to subsume over the centuries. "Those in charge" have altered the Bible throughout History to ensure these outcomes and continues even today.
Is the Bible a literal source? Well, that's subjective to the reader/believer that is tempered and governed by their own knowledge of historical fact that went into the Bible from it's beginning. Yes, there are many literal Historical facts that have been revealed by Archaeology and Anthropology. There are also some...embellishments...meant to force a culture into Christianity or just to simply make a point.
Brief Examples:
Christmas has nothing to do with the literal Birth of Christ. It has everything to do with converting ancient Roman Pagan rituals (Saturnalia, specifically) and the people who practiced them into the Christian fold by Constantine's Newly formed Roman Catholic Church. It was meant to celebrate the Winter Solstice. Archaeology, Anthropology, Astronomers, and Theologic experts have all agreed that Christs birth was in September, not December, and is based on every old original text they could find describing the times, the stars, and cultures surrounding "the birth". So, to get them (the traditional pagans) into the fold they forced the new narrative to replace the old with the new....even though it was a lie...and even enacted harsh penalty upon those who would not convert.
Easter is the same as it has nothing to do with the death/resurrection of Christ. Easter is a pagan holiday of birth and renewal, of the Spring Equinox celebrated by the Anglo Saxon cultures. This is why you see Eggs, rabbits, and new chicks: these all represent birth and renewal in the original Anglo Saxon worship of the Goddess Eostre. Similarly, a forced narrative to replace an old Pagan ritual with the new Christian one to bring them into the Roman Catholic Church.
I chose these two as examples because they are universally well known as uniquely "Christian" Holidays, but there are many more all subsumed by those controlling Christianity and those who practice it by THEIR standard, not true Christianity.
It is difficult for the layman to know which is truth and which is fiction and just rely on "faith". Faith, coincidentally, is the constant drum beat lay-christians are told to believe in. This is fine, but it demands context which is never given to keep them from the truths of what they are placing faith, which is bad. The Bible has been altered into its current form countless times to be more palatable to the audience in which it is being used to control.
Proof? Look at how man versions of the Bible there are in just the Western World alone. If the Bible is infallible, and one true word of God, why isn't there ONE Bible everyone uses/agrees upon? Why splinter into so many fractional churches preaching their interpretations, rules, and penalties for not following "their" brand of faith with their own quirky rituals or rites of passage? Roman Catholic Church is a massive example of this with so many rituals, idols, and conditions for acceptance that it's more closely aligned with being a cult or secret organization.
Anyway, some fat to chew on that, perhaps, may lead to better understanding that will allow a more true path of faith: That God is within us all...not some brick and mortar building or some ordained interpreter (pastor) to lead us to God all the while preaching from a fractured and flawed position forced/handed to them from a few hundred years of careful manipulation.
All of this, plus more, can be researched by an inquisitive mind to fully understand the truths, and lies, that have been foisted upon Humanity by the Church and their minions for millennia. These are a microscopic sample of the things that I have found in my56 years of being here and I continue to seek for greater understanding of this world we live in. I believe, truly, this is what we are all here to do for greater expansion of spiritual growth as deigned by God. No, this is not "New Wave" (a slur used by those in control), but ancient Christian practice hidden and suppressed by the very ones "in control".
Last word: I do not expect anyone to take any of this at face value, so don't. Seek the truth of things. I have given only a step from which to begin and it is up to the individual to climb the entire stairway.
Does looking "beyond what you were told to believe by others" include the Bible?
That was my assumption, forgive me if that is not what you meant.
That depends: Are you a self-taught Bible reader or a result of being told how to read the Bible by a church/pastor/others?
I am not trying to attack you here, but it is important to understand from which camp you're in to properly respond.
edit--
P.S. Yes, I believe in God.
I haven't even been to a church since before I can remember. I do listen to what others say on certain interpretations in the attempt to find what makes the most sense. My view is that the Bible is mostly literal, so the interpretations can't be too separated from what the words say and mean.
Sorry this took so long.
So, lets look at it this way: The Bible is an amalgamation of Historical fact, and allegories, meant to give spiritual compromise to many cultures the Church wished to subsume over the centuries. "Those in charge" have altered the Bible throughout History to ensure these outcomes and continues even today.
Is the Bible a literal source? Well, that's subjective to the reader/believer that is tempered and governed by their own knowledge of historical fact that went into the Bible from it's beginning. Yes, there are many literal Historical facts that have been revealed by Archaeology and Anthropology. There are also some...embellishments...meant to force a culture into Christianity or just to simply make a point.
Brief Examples:
Christmas has nothing to do with the literal Birth of Christ. It has everything to do with converting ancient Roman Pagan rituals (Saturnalia, specifically) and the people who practiced them into the Christian fold by Constantine's Newly formed Roman Catholic Church. It was meant to celebrate the Winter Solstice. Archaeology, Anthropology, Astronomers, and Theologic experts have all agreed that Christs birth was in September, not December, and is based on every old original text they could find describing the times, the stars, and cultures surrounding "the birth". So, to get them (the traditional pagans) into the fold they forced the new narrative to replace the old with the new....even though it was a lie...and even enacted harsh penalty upon those who would not convert.
Easter is the same as it has nothing to do with the death/resurrection of Christ. Easter is a pagan holiday of birth and renewal, of the Spring Equinox celebrated by the Anglo Saxon cultures. This is why you see Eggs, rabbits, and new chicks: these all represent birth and renewal in the original Anglo Saxon worship of the Goddess Eostre. Similarly, a forced narrative to replace an old Pagan ritual with the new Christian one to bring them into the Roman Catholic Church.
I chose these two as examples because they are universally well known as uniquely "Christian" Holidays, but there are many more all subsumed by those controlling Christianity and those who practice it by THEIR standard, not true Christianity.
It is difficult for the layman to know which is truth and which is fiction and just rely on "faith". Faith, coincidentally, is the constant drum beat lay-christians are told to believe in. This is fine, but it demands context which is never given to keep them from the truths of what they are placing faith, which is bad. The Bible has been altered into its current form countless times to be more palatable to the audience in which it is being used to control.
Proof? Look at how man versions of the Bible there are in just the Western World alone. If the Bible is infallible, and one true word of God, why isn't there ONE Bible everyone uses/agrees upon? Why splinter into so many fractional churches preaching their interpretations, rules, and penalties for not following "their" brand of faith with their own quirky rituals or rites of passage? Roman Catholic Church is a massive example of this with so many rituals, idols, and conditions for acceptance that it's more closely aligned with being a cult or secret organization.
Anyway, some fat to chew on that, perhaps, may lead to better understanding that will allow a more true path of faith: That God is within us all...not some brick and mortar building or some ordained interpreter (pastor) to lead us to God all the while preaching from a fractured and flawed position forced/handed to them from a few hundred years of careful manipulation.
All of this, plus more, can be researched by an inquisitive mind to fully understand the truths, and lies, that have been foisted upon Humanity by the Church and their minions for millennia. These are a microscopic sample of the things that I have found in my56 years of being here and I continue to seek for greater understanding of this world we live in. I believe, truly, this is what we are all here to do for greater expansion of spiritual growth as deigned by God. No, this is not "New Wave" (a slur used by those in control), but ancient Christian practice hidden and suppressed by the very ones "in control".
Last word: I do not expect anyone to take any of this at face value, so don't. Seek the truth of things. I have given only a step from which to begin and it is up to the individual to climb the entire stairway.