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Other Religious Texts

Tony

Penultimate Amazing
Tony
Joined
Mar 5, 2003
Messages
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What are some other texts besides the Bible? What were the religious texts of the ancients? What other religious texts pre-date the Bible? I'm researching this because I've come across people who "think" the Bible is the first book chronicling the story of human history from the very beginning. I’m trying to destroy this myth.
 
Hi Tony. Don't try to destroy something before you know if it is true or not. It suggests you have a belief and will then hunt around appropriately friendly sources to support your belief system.
The Bible dates to about 2.5-3,000 B.C. It contains some of the oldest literature and possibly the oldest history of mankind - as a whole. The book of Job and the Penteteuch are amongst the oldest.
Sanskrit Hindu scriptures (possibly) pre-date this from the Indus valley civilisations of India that discuss their own people and especially gods.
There are other cultures beyond the major basic religious traditions that discuss life but I am not sure of their age. Egypian for example, but I'm getting out of my depth at this stage.
If I dare anticipate your reasoning here, I do not think that discovering whether the Judaeo-Christian Bible is the oildest history of man or not will show anything about God, his inspiration, claims or similar and I hope that you will consider this point when responding to this other person who wishes to discuss issues in a friendly way with you. It would seem a shame to end up arguing, going round in pointless circles and always knowing that (s)he is never going to roll over, accept and fully agree with your persuasive, irrefutable reasoned argument and say, you're right, I'm now an atheist. This topic is not a 'deal breaker' when it comes to crucially examining ones faith, but I wish you well.
 
teacher said:
Hi Tony. Don't try to destroy something before you know if it is true or not. It suggests you have a belief and will then hunt around appropriately friendly sources to support your belief system.
The Bible dates to about 2.5-3,000 B.C. It contains some of the oldest literature and possibly the oldest history of mankind - as a whole. The book of Job and the Penteteuch are amongst the oldest.
Sanskrit Hindu scriptures (possibly) pre-date this from the Indus valley civilisations of India that discuss their own people and especially gods.
There are other cultures beyond the major basic religious traditions that discuss life but I am not sure of their age. Egypian for example, but I'm getting out of my depth at this stage.
If I dare anticipate your reasoning here, I do not think that discovering whether the Judaeo-Christian Bible is the oildest history of man or not will show anything about God, his inspiration, claims or similar and I hope that you will consider this point when responding to this other person who wishes to discuss issues in a friendly way with you. It would seem a shame to end up arguing, going round in pointless circles and always knowing that (s)he is never going to roll over, accept and fully agree with your persuasive, irrefutable reasoned argument and say, you're right, I'm now an atheist. This topic is not a 'deal breaker' when it comes to crucially examining ones faith, but I wish you well.
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He didn't say he was trying to debunk the bible(as it does a good enough job of that on its own) but that he wanted to suspend people's beliefs that it is the oldest historical texts. I have met many a Christian who labored under that delusion myself. They seem to think that since it is the oldest book and oldest religion it lends veracity to their claims. It possibly could were either point correct.

Here you are Tony, I believe you will find it a rather useful site.
The Sacred Text Archive

They also have a timeline of religious beliefs based upon the dates their founders were supposed to have lived HERE, which you may find interesting.
 
fruit_loup said:
They also have a timeline of religious beliefs based upon the dates their founders were supposed to have lived HERE, which you may find interesting.
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Its wrong on Zoroastrianism. There is not legit way to give such a narrow range for Zoroaster's life.
 
geni said:
Its wrong on Zoroastrianism. There is not legit way to give such a narrow range for Zoroaster's life.
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And you could also argue that Judaism reached its present form during the lifetime of Ezrah in the fifth century BC.
 
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