Has Any Non-Religious Literary Work Had A Positive Influence On Your Life?

[naomi24]

Does Shakespeare hold more wisdom than any religious book? Sir Trevor Nunn thinks so. He argues that Shakespeare’s works teach an “understanding of the human condition” not present in Holy books of any religion.


http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/theatre/william-shakespeare/10701368/Trevor-Nunn-Shakespeare-is-100-times-more-relevant-than-the-Bible.html

[naomi24]

Some unexpected answers there.

Goodlife, The Watchtower doesn't count. It's a religious publication.

[beso]

But Goodlife, none of the Biblical promises have come true. God has still done nothing about suffering.

Meanwhile science has brought us everything we have.

[woofgang]

I really hate it when someone says "everybody should read xxx"

[solvitquick]

I know what you mean woofgang, who are these literati?
Actually if someone force-lends me a book, I simply cannot read it. I avoid that person for years until we move house in case I am interrogated :).
Same as "n things you must do before you die" - cheeky sods.
SIQ.

[woofgang]

"force-lend" Love it! I know exactly what you mean.

[jomifl]

I was 'force lent' a book on secret codes in the bible, it was given to the lender by the author. As soon as I began reading it I remembered an exposé that demolished the book as utter rubbish and denounced the author as a charlatan of the first water. It was thereafter unreadable, I managed to sneak it back onto the lender's bookshelves and praise be to god he had forgotten lending it to me..Phew.

[naomi24]

Force-lending! I too know exactly what you mean.

[goodlife]

I see we live in a century that has witnessed a virtual explosion of knowledge.

And yet in all fields of science and learning,information at accumulates rate.
We see by laboratory research, by exploration on land, deep into the sea, far out into space, new data pour in faster than men can digest and evaluate them.

In the Bible we are told: “Wisdom is the prime thing. Acquire wisdom; and with all that you acquire, acquire understanding.” (Prov. 4:7)

Does the research just described fulfill those words? Has it resulted in the wisdom we should pursue as “the prime thing”?


Has is it solving earth’s major problems? Has it led people to healthier, happier, more secure, peaceful and productive lives? Has it helped you to get along better with his neighbor?

You should know the answer?


We live in a sick, mixed-up world, in times of unprecedented frustration, in a day when the very existence of man and all creatures on this planet is seriously threatened. And, paradoxically, much of man’s modern research has contributed to this very state of affairs. (Eccl. 8:17) And only reading the Blble you can know why, so it simple for some.

[naomi24]

Goodlife, your posts have no relevance whatsoever to this thread - but you know that. Don't you have some doors to knock on?

[LazyGun]

Ahh, the return of the doomsayer.

"And yet in all fields of science and learning,information at accumulates rate.
We see by laboratory research, by exploration on land, deep into the sea, far out into space, new data pour in faster than men can digest and evaluate them."
- No, it doesn't. Data comes in, data is evaluated. But this process takes time. Only a dimwit would conclude that, just because we do not come up with an answer within 5 minutes of receiving the data that somehow we are "overwhelmed" and "cannot cope".

"In the Bible we are told: “Wisdom is the prime thing. Acquire wisdom; and with all that you acquire, acquire understanding.” (Prov. 4:7)

Does the research just described fulfill those words? Has it resulted in the wisdom we should pursue as “the prime thing”?"

- Just as a stopped clock is right twice a day, the bible will occasionally show some instances of actual commonsense. Acquiring wisdom is self-evidently a very good thing. Hurrah for the bible! :) And yes, the research does fulfill the words, and yes, it has resulted in an overall increase in mankinds wisdom! Yay! Go Science! :)

"Has is it solving earth’s major problems? Has it led people to healthier, happier, more secure, peaceful and productive lives? Has it helped you to get along better with his neighbor?

You should know the answer?"

I do indeed know the answer, GL. Science and the overall search for improved human knowledge and the wisdom to use it has indeed helped to solve the major problems of humanity with respect to the Earth, and is the only way to combat such problems in the future. And yes, it has lead to the sum of humanity leading happier healthier lives, and yes indeed it has helped me get on better with my neighbours- in fact, because of science, my neighbourhood has expanded to include people from around the globe.
Yay! Go Science!

"We live in a sick, mixed-up world, in times of unprecedented frustration, in a day when the very existence of man and all creatures on this planet is seriously threatened. And, paradoxically, much of man’s modern research has contributed to this very state of affairs"

You say tomarto, I say tomayto. We live in an exciting, developing world, in times of immense personal satisfaction, where mans existence is assured and expanded to live in all ecological niches. Sure, there are problems- how could there not be? But I will place my confidence in humanity and the search for knowledge and wisdom above getting on my knees and reading scripture. And there is absolutely no paradox at all in recognising that humanities rapid success will create some problems along the way. The day you have no problems at all is the day that you are dead.

One thing is certain sure - following your prescription of "reading the bible" will solve nothing.

[goodlife]

Naomi@ True, No I am the public witness work today.

[mibn2cweus]

I tried to get my mitts on a copy of this book at my local book store once

http://www.narconews.com/stealthisbook.jpg

but for some reason they were keeping them behind the counter. :o/

[naomi24]

Ah, I see. You've been working from home today, Goodlife. Still no luck though. I do hope you don't work on a commission basis.