Bible and Quran

Bible and Quran: These books should be read cautiously and critically. Above all, they should not fall into the hands of minors. They teach an unrealistic worldview, contain passages that incite violence and intolerance, and can cause severe psychological damage due to the threats of hell they contain. The main characters often display behaviour that is neither exemplary nor worthy of imitation. These books were written in a time and in cultures where neither democracy nor human rights were important. However, these are necessary to prevent the abuse of power, create a just world for all people, and reduce suffering in this world.

There are many holy scriptures and books in various religions around the world. Here are some of the most well-known – besides the Bible (Christianity) and the Quran (Islam):

• Tanakh (Hebrew Bible) – Judaism
• Consists of the Torah (instructions), Nevi’im (prophets), and Ketuvim (writings).
• Talmud – Judaism
• A collection of rabbinic discussions on Jewish law, ethics, and tradition.
• Vedas – Hinduism
• Four main works: Rigveda, Samaveda, Yajurveda, and Atharvaveda.
• Upanishads – Hinduism
• Philosophical writings that expand on the spiritual essence of the Vedas.
• Bhagavad Gita – Hinduism
• Part of the Mahabharata, considered a spiritual guide and holy book.
• Avesta – Zoroastrianism
• Sacred texts, including the Gathas, which contain Zoroastrian teachings.
• Tao Te Ching – Taoism
• The central text of Laozi, is an essential work for Taoist philosophy.
• Book of Mormon – The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons)
• Supplement to the Bible with its revelations.
• Aqdas – Baha’i Faith
• The central text of the Baha’i Faith, written by Baha’ullah.

The Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans also had “sacred” texts.

Ancient Egypt:

• No “holy scripture” in the strict sense, but many religious texts:

 Book of the Dead: Collection of spells and instructions for life after death – very important for the afterlife.

 Pyramid Texts: The oldest religious texts in the world, carved into royal tombs.

Coffin Texts: Similar to the Pyramid Texts, but for non-kings.

The texts were religiously significant, but there was no central book for everyone.

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Ancient Greece:

• No holy books, but mythological and philosophical writings:

Homer (Iliad, Odyssey): Stories about gods and heroes – religiously and culturally influential.

Hesiod (Theogony): Family tree of the gods – almost a “mythological textbook.”

Religious cults had mystical texts, e.g., in the Eleusinian Mysteries, but much was secret.

The Greeks had a polytheistic religion without dogma—hence, no sacred scriptures in the strict sense.

Roman Empire:

• Borrowed much from the Greeks.
• There were ritual texts and prayer formulas, e.g., in the Pontifex tradition, but nothing like the Bible or the Koran.
• Roman religion was strongly focused on public worship and state rituals.

Germanic tribes:

• No holy books – their religion was transmitted orally.
• Later (after Christianization), the myths were written down, e.g.,

o Edda (Song Edda and Snorra Edda): Collection of Nordic myths, stories of gods and heroes.

Conclusion:

• The religions of the Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, and Germanic tribes were ritual, mythical, and oral, but not scripturally centred like book religions (Judaism, Christianity, Islam).
• There were important religious texts, but no uniform, binding “holy books” like those later found in monotheism