by Marty Essen, Victor
In books and the media, I frequently satirize right-wing Christianity. My reason for doing so is because that version of Christianity is the only religion Americans use like a club to impose itself on those who believe differently. Examples of this include overturning Roe v. Wade, book bans, forcing itself on public schools, bigotry toward the LGTBQ community, and the damage inflicted to the environment, human rights, and democracy by right-wing Christian champion and convicted felon, Donald Trump.
On social media, I post a daily series called “God’s B Sides.” I started the series to point out how misleading it is for politicians and clergy to preach “God’s Greatest Hits” while ignoring the huge number of violent, sexually explicit, and misogynistic verses contained within the Bible.
Comments on the series, posted by Christians, have been eye-opening. Many mentioned they didn’t know such verses existed, and most admitted to only reading a small portion of the Bible. That corresponds with polls that indicate only about 20 percent of Christians have read the entire Bible.
Both the Old and New Testaments are equally disrespectful to women. If Montana’s far-right ever gets their way and we follow the southern states by forcing Christianity into our public schools, perhaps students can study these “historical” verses:
“A woman must quietly receive instruction with entire submissiveness. But I do not allow a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet.”—1 Timothy 2:11-12
“Blessed is the one who grabs your little children and smashes them against a rock.”—Psalm 137:9
“When a man sells his daughter as a slave, she will not be freed at the end of six years as the men are. If she does not satisfy her owner, he must allow her to be bought back again.”—Exodus 21: 7-8
“There she lusted after her lovers, whose genitals were like those of donkeys and whose emission was like that of horses.”—Ezekiel 23:20
“If men get into a fight with one another, and the wife of one intervenes to rescue her husband from the grip of his opponent by reaching out and seizing his genitals, you shall cut off her hand; show no pity.”—Deuteronomy 25:11-12
“Now kill all the boys. And kill every woman who has slept with a man, but save for yourselves every girl who has never slept with a man.”—Numbers 31:17-18
When politicians claim they will legislate on behalf of their Christian beliefs, they should be asked, “Have you read the entire Bible?” Those who haven’t done so are not only demonstrating extreme laziness for failing to read the only book their religion is based on, but they’re also admitting that less than 5 percent of the Bible, “God’s Greatest Hits,” are all that matter.
Republican politicians from Tim Sheehy to Ryan Zinke to Donald Trump provide a harrowing example of forcing right-wing Christianity on the public without full knowledge of the Bible. As part of their alleged Christian values, they endeavor to steal a woman’s right to control her own body. The same goes for greedy clergy, who know that opposing abortion is a moneymaker. None of those power-hungry people will admit that the Bible—though it states it in its usual misogynistic way—actually approves of abortion by providing instructions on how to force an unfaithful wife to “miscarry” (the word “abortion” didn’t exist back then).
The section is too long to share here, but I encourage people to read Numbers 5:11-31. Since there are roughly 450 English translations of the Bible, not all use the word “miscarry.” The New International Version is a good version to check, as it bypasses the King James Version and was developed by more than 100 scholars working from the best available Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek texts.
Freedom of religion is a cherished value in America, but like all freedoms, it ends when it’s used to cause harm or infringe on the rights of others. America’s founding fathers got it right when they unanimously passed the still-valid Treaty of Tripoli, which states: “As the Government of the United States of America is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion.”
Gomez says
When exactly did he complete & fulfill them? What you said doesn’t even make any sense. Not only that, but your interpretation is just that, only your interpretation. There are more different Christian Sects, each with their own understanding and interpretation of the words in the Bible than there are actual sentences in the Bible. I think that even people who follow the same religion as you, the same Sect of that religion as you, and who attend the same exact church as you, perhaps even sitting in the same exact row of pews as you, may have a completely different interpretation of many Bible passages than you do. How is it that YOU got it right and everyone else in the world got it wrong?
Mike Mercer says
Reasonable question.
In John 19:30 the last thing Jesus said from the Cross was, “It is finished”, in Aramaic, which means “It is consummated” which means the debt owed by man for Adams sin has been forever dealt with, (my prior reference to the last Sacrifice) This was the start of the New Covenant (NT) meaning we were no longer under the old law. (OT)
That’s as clear as I can make it.
Gomez says
Mike. Thank you for your explanation. That said, if it was clear as you say it is, there wouldn’t be 40,000+ different Christian Sects, each with their own individual interpretations of the words in the Bible. Your interpretation is just that, yours.
Once you guys can all agree what this god actually wants, get back to us. Until then, keep him out of our schools, science, public policy and law.
Mike Mercer says
You are correct about all the different interpretations and I will give you one example. What is called the Scofield Bible which is widely used by many to this day based on lies from a guy named Darby about whats called the “Pre-Tribulation Rapture”, the guy just made it up in 1830 and Scofield ran with it. We will be deceived so protect the children but do so with discernment and wisdom.
Bitterrooter says
Mike,
I have great respect for people I know who wear their religion as an example and not as a cudgel. I am not anti-religion.
I will probably regret asking this, but you put a huge amount of weight and interpretation of meaning on John’s version of Jesus’ last words “It is finished.” However, the three other gospels (Mathew, Mark and Luke) all report very different last words. These other apostles wrote much more historical accounts, while John’s was much more theological-big picture. John’s account was also written last of the 4–40 years after Jesus.
When the issue of trash-canning the entire OT old law is at stake, why should we credit John’s version of the last words more than M, M, and Ls?
Mike Mercer says
John happens to be my personal favorite because of its focus on the Cross and when something touches a chord in you, speak up. I cannot quote Chapter and Verse or debate what has been written but simply pass on what resonates in me; my opinion in other words.
As for those who use their “religion” as a cudgel I would ask….what are you afraid of?
Also, we reference the OT as being fulfilled not trashed because without it we would not have the NT, which is good news.
Bitterrooter says
Thanks for the reply, Mike.
In the end, I think all personal belief is based on what you have noted, “what resonates in me.” That in concert with what we have been exposed to and raised with, and our own life’s experience combine to form the details and strength of our religious beliefs, or lack of religious beliefs.
As to my comment about religion as a “cudgel”, I simple would hope that others more devout than me would be have a large share of humility when pushing the precepts of their belief system that ultimately is based on simple faith and “what [among the many,many forms faith might take] resonates with me.” Rather than anything testable or verifiable outside the “self.”
In short, one person’s or one group’s interpretation of religion should not be a basis for controlling the actions of others (outside the communally agreed on standards of society).
It is not an easy balance.
Thanks again for engaging.
John Grant says
Hmmmmm……….so the sequel gets to make all the “corrections”? Sounds like a movie franchise.. Every “new release” better than the last? Yellowstone?
Mike Mercer says
A sequel that corrects a prequel doesn’t sound like a winning franchise, but then, we have better writers than “Yellowstone”.
Mike Mercer says
Nice speech, any suggestions or just pontificating for your “Social Media” platform.
It still amazes me that folks use the Old Testament (your quotes) and Christian as if they are joined at the hip….hint, they are not. There is nothing Christian about the Old Testament except it was the pathway to the New Testament which Christians follow. Please do not confuse people; we have enough of those seeking influence through “Religion” as it is.
Note: The Old Testament Scriptures are relevant as warnings; seek wisdom from their history not Gods law.
Gomez says
Jesus clearly said that all of the old laws still stood;
“Do not think that I have come to do away with or undo the Law or the Prophets; I have come not to do away with or undo but to complete and fulfill them.”
Since the Ten Commandments are OT, are you proposing that they should be ignored too?
Mike Mercer says
Complete and fulfill means just that, it’s done, time to move on to a new covenant. NT expands on ten commandments as well as other OT teachings but with forgiveness by the “final” sacrifice.