@chaski Said
Or read the holy text yourself... pay attention while reading it... bring along a dictionary... maybe read it more than once....
Understanding the "holy" is simple.
You just have to take the responsibility to read "it"... all of "it"... in order from 1st word to last word... and pay attention.
Example: "The Four Feathers".
There was an original book, and at least 7 movies. The core point of the book is found within each of the 7 movies. However, not one of the 7 movies is fully accurate to the book.
So, "you" can depend one or more of the movies to give you the broad story. However, you will not have the complete (true and accurate) story. You can only get the complete and accurate story by reading the book.. Sure, "you" might prefer one of the movies... but that takes you away from the original book.
Such it is with "holy" books.
You can either go to the course (i.e. the book), or you can trust what someone else tells you about the book, but be wrong (however slightly... or greatly).
And "The Four Feathers" is a very simple story... do "you" really want to trust various variations of a "holy" book?
If you are a Christian, or Muslim, or... etc.... your very soul could be at risk... if you don't read "it" yourself, but rather choose one of the various plays as acted out over...BUT with small changes because...
And there is now worry about getting it wrong if you read it yourself... You simply ask (pray) for your god's guidance in reading "his" own "holy" word. Any god that would not guide you in this endeavor is a false god.