Assignment 4 (BIC 3358)

       Reading a part of Judges and 1 Kings was an interesting look at the history of the Jews or at least how they perceived it. In my opinion, there is no true history, but it's a matter of perception. The way the Jews view the history of their land and the surrounding area can be very different than for example the Egyptians view it. I've always wondered how the German's view World War 2 and the Nazi Regime. I'm sure some detest that part of their past, but I wonder if they try to justify it somehow. Similarly, the Americans view slavery as a horrible act that we abolished and progressed from. However, I feel that we try to give our ancestors the benefit of the doubt like it was considered normal around the world back then or that they truly thought the Bible justified it. 

        Nonetheless, history is important to learning about another culture. Perhaps the Jewish perception of their history isn't necessarily all fact, but accurately shows the Jewish belief and values which is a better understanding of their culture. The reoccurring theme of the convenient with God is integral in Jewish faith. Repeatedly the Bible discusses God appointing a King to lead the chosen people but then he goes astray and breaks the covenant which angers God and causes chaos and destruction. Then "when the children of Israel cried unto the Lord, the Lord raised up a deliverer to the children of Israel, who delivered them (Judges 3.8)." The long history of the Jews being sold to slavery in other countries or Israel being conquered by foreign lands, but God delivering them out of suffering shows how important being faithful to the covenant is.

         In World Cultures 4, we read The Things They Carried which was the retelling of the experiences of an American soldier in the Vietnam War. The story is considered a metafiction because the characters were fictional but some of it was based on the author's, Tim O'Brien, actual experiences. Therefore, some may consider the entire book fictional, but O'Brien would argue that everything in the book is real because it portrays the real emotions and trauma the soldiers went through that facts cannot depict. 

         Basically, facts are not necessarily the truth which can be applied to almost all religions. Often archaeologists and scientists find fault in religious texts such as the Bible, but overall that is not really important what is, is the faith and hope it gives the believer.