[aristofun]

You may not like it, but the bible is still the most influential book today.

Even if you’re not spiritual or never read it yourself - all the story archetypes used in modern fiction are there. Not to mention ethical standards.

Literally there is very little fundamentally new in literature that isn’t there already in the bible in one way or another.

[gnz11]

Somewhat related, several months ago I read Karen Armstrong's "A History of God" based on a recommendation in a similar thread. While not the most influential book I've read (I'm not even sure what that would be), it provided a nice perspective on the history and evolution of Judaism/Christianity/Islam and changed a lot of my opinions on the matter. Would recommend a read for anyone interested in the matter.

[muffinman26]

I know it's a bit fraught to share on a public forum, but would you be willing to share how it changed your opinions on the matter?

I also really enjoyed "A History of God', but found the author's conclusions a bit odd. She seemed to still be devout, and yet her book destroyed what little faith and hope I still had in organized religion. It really laid bare how so much religious change was due, not to some sort of new understanding of the world, but either attempts to acquire political power or abstract debates over semantics.

[antwerp1]

The problem with her book is that it presents a fairly Eurocentric view of “God.” It also uses a historical/ anthropological approach, so there’s no claim of higher truth being made.

[swah]

Does anyone really read it, though? I'm a catholic and never read it in full... Someone said it on X "if christians really believe that that is the word of God, they should be reading it much more than they actually do". Applies to me..

[aristofun]

Ive read it. It’s quite intense and exciting if you put some focus and imagination into it. The original “tora” part in particular.

[gwnywg]

I'm reading it line by line, some parts are really difficult to ingest and other parts go very easily. Once I finish reading it first time I plan to read it again, this time I hope to get more from difficult parts based on the context I already have.

[syncbehind]

Obligatory disclaimer that influential does not, with it, come a positive connotation.

[aristofun]

I wonder how you decide if the influence is positive or not