[muawiyah]

Ever since writing was invented by the Sumerians the text has continued to be memorized by trusted persons with perfect eidetic memory. When such people are not available others will use memory palace techniques to accomplish the same task.

Chinese languages have been until the creation of pin yin transmitted in whole by oral methods. The written language ~ the actual language at the base of the character system ~ is not the same as the spoken languages yet, with training it is intelligible to all.

The mind is tricky ~ when reading written text it was recently discovered that your eye/brain systems look at the first and last letters in a word to begin the search into your vast warehouse of memorized vocabulary to find a match. That's pretty efficient but it's also a source of error. Reading, then, is dependent in substantial part on the quality of the memorization of the words, and parts of words that we've assembled into our memories.

We only imagine printed text to be superior.

The Bureau of Printing and Engraving has on staff highly trained copy editors who are able to overcome the limitations imposed on reading quality. The Congressional Record and the Federal Register are read and corrected by such people. For less skilled text editors you might want to have them read it backwards!

This is off the track of the main argument which is that there are actually 'materials' of relevance to the practice of religion that are never written down, or never written down in the main text described as 'scripture'. Memory palace techniques are not explained in the Bible ~ but the memnonic devices used to structure them are there. Those who have knowledge will understand.

[metmom]

Ever since writing was invented by the Sumerians the text has continued to be memorized by trusted persons with perfect eidetic memory. When such people are not available others will use memory palace techniques to accomplish the same task.

Do you have an evidence that this is so and that this technique was what was used on or with Scripture?

[boatbums]

Memory palace techniques are not explained in the Bible ~ but the memnonic devices used to structure them are there. Those who have knowledge will understand.

Oh, I think the idea has always been there. For example:

Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. (Psalm 119:11)

Tremble and do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent. (Psalm 4:4)

The law of their God is in their hearts; their feet do not slip. (Psalm 37:31)

I desire to do your will, my God; your law is within my heart. (Psalm 40:8)

Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. (2 Corinthians 7:1)