The only holy books that I’ve read are some of the various Hindu ones. I’ve never read a Bible, the Koran or any other one. I think it’s time to expand my limited knowledge of religion. So recommend me a decent holy book that’s available in English translation. And please tell me why you’re recommending it. While my primary goal is to learn about other religions, I’d also like the book to be entertaining. I can’t imagine that I’d be able to finish a book if I fall asleep after every 2 pages. Thanks in advance.
An entertaining holy book? I’ve never read it, but the Book of Mormon should have some real action - wars and stuff.
The Book of Acts in the Christian Bible is pretty action-oriented. And provocative in that there are two places where it slips from third person plural to first person - teasing you into thinking about who the guy who wrote Luke and Acts might have been.
When I was a kid our family went for a vacation to Myrtle Beach, SC. One night my folks were out and we kids were in the motel room by ourselves. A bunch of Hari Krishnas came to the door soliciting donations. We gave the guy some pennies we had and he gave us a book on Krishna. Krishna had blue skin and was pretty psychedlic looking. I don’t know whatever happened to that book, but it’s the only religious book I’ve seen with colorful pictures (I’m not counting the Watchtower tracts that get left in my laundromat). So I’d have to say it’s my favorite. Now if the Bible or Koran were a coloring book I might have to rate it ahead.
I don’t know how holy they are, but the Mahabharat is pretty exciting, as is the condensation of the Chinese Monkey legends, which are actively hilarious.
either The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, or the Macintosh Bible…
The Handbook of Denominations in the United States is a pretty comprehensive guide. It is more of a reference work, but gives an overview of the denomination, a history, some discussion of dogma, and statistics about membership.
I’ve read many of the Hindu books including the Mahabharat (which includes the holiest Bhagavad Gita) and the Ramayana. I’m Hindu so I’m familiar with many of the Hare Krishna texts as well.