This is a great example of how some christians would like to use government to force their viewpoints on all of society. Granted most would not go to this extreme, but they would and have used government to force prayer into schools, ban atheists from holding office in some states, and teach creationism. History has shown what happens when you use the government to force religious ideologies onto the citizens. Many christians who are quick to point out that this is a "christian nation" forget that what drove many to come here was to escape religious persecution.
Apologists often say that religion isn't bad and reinforces good qualities such as charity and forgiveness. But anything good that a religion teaches can be taught in society and by families in a secular setting. However, this type of teaching needs religion to justify it. Without the backing of his "good book" this teaching would have not been tolerated. The fact that his congregation did not get up and walk out when he called for the government to exterminate a group of American citizens just shows that it is a setting which will tolerate that behavior.
The bible also calls for adulterers(Leviticus 20:10), disobedient children (Exodus 21:17), and those who are wizards ( Leviticus 20:27, seriously it's in there) all to be put to death. Would pastor Knapp also like the government to enforce these rules as well. I think Knapp should stick to the love thy neighbor, love the sinner hate the sin messages and I will refrain from casting any of my wizardly spells on him. - {No religion, Know peace}
First let me say that the translation on "wizards" in Leviticus 20:27 refers to people that claim to speak to the dead. Other translations use the word "necromancer". Obviously God wanted people who were practicing witchcraft expelled from His people.
ReplyDeleteThere seems to be a misunderstanding here. The law of Moses (Exodus to Deuteronomy) was given specifically to the children of Israel. God had chosen Israel as His chosen people, therefore creating a special bond between them.
Other people (non-Jews) weren't governed by the law of Moses. When Jesus died on the cross, however, a new covenant began. This negated the need for the law of Moses for Israel.
We're currently living in the age of grace. Anyone can have that special bond with God. He accepts anyone and everyone to His Kingdom. Although there are certain caveats in joining, everyone is invited. Sin doesn't have to result in death any longer.
That's part of the problem having any biblical discussion though, there are so many different interpretations and people will choose the one that best suits their argument, just as I did here for comedic effect. That translation though was pulled from biblegateway.com, so I wasn't just fishing for an obscure interpretation, that is how they list the King James version.
ReplyDeleteBut to people 2,000 years ago our technology would seem foreign enough to be wizardry or witchcraft.
The problem isn't however which pages of his fictional text he chooses to cherry pick his rules out of, it is that he and many others would have the government infringe upon our(all U.S. citizens) rights in the name of THEIR religion. That is exactly what the religious right is doing in Washington state right now. People forget that the purpose of the Constitution is to protect the rights of ALL even against the wishes of the majority.
The other problem is there has been a trend recently of more pastors using a hateful tone. Many churches and religious groups are trending towards this extreme speech. However, the general population is showing less tolerance for that hatred. When the Million Moms called for a ban on J.C. Penny because Ellen DeGeneres was hired as a spokesperson many people flocked to the store to show their support. When Chik-fil-a owner expressed his disdain for this generations tolerance with gay marriage, many voluntarily chose not to patronize the establishment.
Fearful that they are losing their control over society they are looking to use the government as a tool to enforce their rules on others, and I find that unacceptable.
There are only a few translations that are accepted as accurate, but I do concede that the King Jame's version is one of them. My point was that "wizardry" in the 1600's is not the same as what we consider wizardry to be now. That is why I pointed out how that passage is translated into modern English.
ReplyDeleteThe fallacy in your post is in your assumption that a few hate-filled and misinformed "Christian" preachers speak for true believers of the word of God.
That's simply not the case.
Instead, your disgust should actually be pointed towards denominational-ism.
Consider what God says about those that would cause you to stumble. This preacher's words, for example, do nothing more than create strife and hate. Jesus says about those in Mark 9:42 "it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea."
Jesus clearly had a problem with someone causing others to stumble away from the truth and instead, towards hate and dissension.