Quote:
Originally Posted by HarryT
The reason for reading the Koran is the same as the reason for reading the Bible - it gives you an understanding of the societies that base their cultural mores on that particular religious text. Regardless of whether one regards the Bible as having any spiritual meaning, its teaching underpin western society, and the same is true of the Koran and middle Eastern society. You cannot truly understand those societies without a knowledge of the foundation on which they are built.
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Harry, how does reading the Book of Mormon give me any insight into the United States' cutlural mores? And which version of the new testament unpins Britain's and Frances cultural mores, let alone Russia's.
I'm not opposed to one reading bibles and other religious texts, but with the number of interpretative texts that call themselves
the bible, it is impossible to know which "truth" really underpins society today or society of 350 years ago. The christian version, like versions from other religions, has undergone numerous rewritings and interpretations. Consider that the King James version was written by committee and subject to compromise, so how does it underpin the mores of society today?
As for the foundations of the societies, perhaps it might work if we narrow society down to the small village or tribe, but I think it loses a relevance when we talk nations.