Re: Most Influential

FWIW: While the Bible may posess the characteristics of a book (e.g. publisher, binding) one could argure that the nature of its divine authorship and its inspirational/conversional effect on people place the text far beyond "an influential book." Despite their influence, CS Lewis, Tolkien or Foucault never changed anyone's eternal prospects. That to me explains why many chose not to denegrate scripture to simple influence. For some the literal application of God's commandments, precepts, lessons and guidance as laid out in the Bible go far beyond mere influencing thier lives. To put this text into the same category as Anne Rice or Thomas Paine would be contrary to the foundations of their faith. It would elevate the literary or learned works of men to the same status of divinely inspired scripture (indivudual interpretation of divine inspiration allowed). Moreover, to chastise people for not choosing this as their most influential, suggests one's freewill is sharply in question. I for one will keep my Bible on my bedstand, and my influential books on their shelves; rather than the other way around.