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The Thinking Man's Bible: The New Age of Reason |
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Chapter 20 |
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Since public figures frequently hold up the Bible as the ideal foundation for a moral American society, it is important that we know how compatible these basic biblical teachings are with basic American political, social, and economic values. Constitutional Republic 20.1 The Bible made no provision for the institutions of a constitutional republic, democracy or anything like what we would consider a free society. No vote or election was ever mentioned. No leader was ever elected by the people. No system of popular representation was ever formed. No constitutional limitation on the power of government was ever enacted. There was no judicial review of any ruler’s action. There was no mention of any freedoms of the press, speech, religion, etc. Our concept of limited government and its status as a servant of the people are totally alien to the Bible. |
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Monarchy and the Divine Right of Kings 20.2 The word "king" is used 3,595 times in 1,756 verses of the Bible-all in the positive sense as a legitimate form of government. God was frequently the chooser and supporter of the king, and God only overthrew another king in order to replace him with his own king. Therefore, we cannot expect any help from a Biblical God in saving us from monarchical tyranny. "…the laws of nature and of nature’s God entitle them… governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed…" (Jefferson, 1776, Declaration of Independence) 20.3 Paul said that tyrants ruled with the power of God, and that we should all submit to that power and pay whatever confiscatory taxes were levied upon us. The discipline of our rulers was God’s will. This directly contradicts the Declaration of Independence, the founding document of American civilization. "Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. For this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour." Rom 13:1-7 "Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates…" Titus 3:1 "Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers…" 1Pet 2:13,14 20.4 The divinely sanctioned British, French, Dutch, and Spanish monarchies established the Bible-supported institution, slavery (see below), in North America. The newly independent Americans tried unsuccessfully to end it. "[The British King] has waged cruel war against human nature itself, violating it’s most sacred rights of life and liberty in the persons of a distant people who never offended him, captivating & carrying them into slavery in another hemisphere…" (Thomas Jefferson, The Declaration of Independence, deleted portion) Slave-holders and, eventually, the Confederate leadership used the Bible to justify its continuation. It took 600,000 deaths to settle the matter in the American Civil War. "It was established by decree of Almighty God…it is sanctioned in the Bible, in both Testaments, from Genesis to Revelation…" (Jefferson Davis in Rowland in McKinsey, 207) The present American view of slavery was established in the Thirteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. "Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude (work done against one’s will), except as punishment for having been convicted of a crime, is allowed in the United States or any of its territories or possessions." (Amendment 13, Section 1, the Constitution of the United States, 1865) |
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Slavery 20.5 The Bible clearly sanctioned the buying and selling of human beings into involuntary servitude, i.e. slavery. Jesus evidently agreed, since he didn’t say a word against it, and he said he came to uphold the Old Testament’s laws without change. "…he that is bought with thy money …" Gen 17:13 "And Abimelech took sheep, and oxen, and menservants, and womenservants, and gave them unto Abraham…" Gen 20:14 "If thou buy an Hebrew servant, six years he shall serve: and in the seventh he shall go out free for nothing. If he came in by himself, he shall go out by himself: if he were married, then his wife shall go out with him. If his master have given him a wife, and she have born him sons or daughters; the wife and her children shall be her master’s, and he shall go out by himself. And if the servant shall plainly say, I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free: Then his master shall bring him unto the judges; he shall also bring him to the door, or unto the door post; and his master shall bore his ear through with an awl; and he shall serve him for ever. And if a man sell his daughter to be a maidservant, she shall not go out as the menservants do." Ex 21:2-7 "And if a man smite his servant, or his maid, with a rod, and he die under his hand; he shall be surely punished. Notwithstanding, if he continue a day or two, he shall not be punished: for he is his money." Ex 21:20,21 "…[the Burglar] should make full restitution; if he have nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft." Ex 22:3 "Moreover of the children of the strangers that do sojourn among you, of them shall ye buy, and of their families that are with you which they begat in your land: and they shall be your possession. And ye shall take them as an inheritance for your children after you, to inherit them for a possession; they shall be your bondmen for ever: but over your brethren the children of Israel, ye shall not rule one over another with rigour." Lev 25:45,46 "And if thy brother, an Hebrew…be sold unto thee, and serve thee six years; then in the seventh year thou shalt let him go free from thee." Deut 15:12 "So I bought her to me for fifteen pieces of silver, and for an homer of barley, and an half homer of barley:" Hos 3:2 20.6 At God’s command, whole populations were sold into bondage; and innocent captives of battle were made slaves. "But all the women children, that have not known a man by lying with him, keep alive for yourselves." Num 31:18 "When thou comest nigh unto a city to fight against it…if it make thee answer of peace…all the people that is found therein shall be tributaries unto thee, and they shall serve thee. And if it will make no peace with thee, but will make war against thee, then thou shalt besiege it: And when the Lord thy God hath delivered it into thine hands…the women, and the little ones…shalt thou take unto thyself…" Deut 20:10-14 God’s covenant with "And the Lord shall bring thee into Egypt again…and there ye shall be sold unto your enemies for bondmen and bondwomen, and no man shall buy you." Deut 28:68 "And I will sell your sons and your daughters into the hand of the children of Judah, and they shall sell them to the Sabeans, to a people far off: for the Lord hath spoken it." Joel 3:8 "And the booty…and the persons were sixteen thousand [surviving virgins]…" Num 31:32 "I will give the land of Egypt unto Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon; and he shall take her multitude, and take her spoil, and take her prey; and it shall be the wages for his army." Ezek 29:19 20.7 Even God’s priests took a share of booty in slaves "And the booty…and the persons were sixteen thousand [surviving virgins]…of which the Lord’s tribute was thirty and two persons." Num 31:32,37-41 20.8 The Bible even promulgated rules for slave masters. "Then thou shalt take an [awl], and thrust it through his ear unto the door, and he shall be thy servant for ever. And also unto thy maidservant thou shalt do likewise." Deut 15:17 "Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed. And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them…" 1Tim 6:1,2 Paul: "Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again; Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things." Tit 2:9,10 Paul: "Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;" Eph 6:5 Paul: "Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh…in singleness of heart, fearing God:" Col 3:22 "Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward…but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God." 1Pet 2:18,20 20.9 The Bible implied that even Christ and God had slaves. "…he that is called, being free, is Christ’s servant." 1Cor 7:22 "…I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus." Gal 6:17 "…as the servants of God." 1Pet 2:16 "But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God…" Rom 6:22 "For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles," Eph 3:1 |
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Laws of Warfare 20.10 God ordered the Moses gang to plunder, and he took a share. "And the booty…And the Lord’s tribute of the sheep…and the beeves…and the asses…and the persons were sixteen thousand [the surviving virgins]…of which the Lord’s tribute was thirty and two persons. And Moses gave the tribute, which was the Lord’s heave offering, unto Eleazar the priest, as the Lord commanded Moses." Num 31:32,37-41 20.11 God ordered the murder and enslavement of prisoners of war, including women and children, as well as rapine and plunder (I vass juss followink ordahss!). "And if [a city you attacked] will make no peace with thee, but will make war against thee, then thou shalt besiege it: And when the Lord thy God hath delivered it into thine hands, thou shalt smite every male thereof with the edge of the sword: But the women, and the little ones, and the cattle, and all that is in the city, even all the spoil thereof, shalt thou take unto thyself; and thou shalt eat the spoil of thine enemies, which the Lord thy God hath given thee. Thus shalt thou do unto all the cities which are very far off from thee…But of the cities of these people, which the Lord thy God doth give thee for an inheritance, thou shalt save alive nothing that breatheth: But thou shalt utterly destroy them…as the Lord thy God hath commanded thee:" Deut 20:12-17 "Now therefore kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman that hath known man by lying with him. But all the women children, that have not known a man by lying with him, keep alive for yourselves…And the booty…thirty and two thousand persons in all, of women that had not known man by lying with him." Num 31:17,18,32,35 "…slay both man and woman, infant and suckling…" 1Sam 15:3 "Slay utterly old and young, both maids, and little children, and women…" Ezek 9:6 "For thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I will bring upon Tyrus Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon…He shall slay with the sword thy daughters in the field…" Ezek 26:7,8 "Therefore thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I will give the land of Egypt unto Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon; and he shall take her multitude, and take her spoil, and take her prey; and it shall be the wages for his army. I have given him the land of Egypt for his labour wherewith he served against it, because they wrought for me, saith the Lord God." Ezek 29:19,20 "By the swords of the mighty will I cause thy multitude to fall, the terrible of the nations, all of them…and all the multitude thereof shall be destroyed." Ezek 32:12 20.12 God commanded that prisoners be led away bare-assed naked and barefoot. This was intended to shame their homeland; but today this would likely be seen as an outrage, and it would shame the captors, not the captives. "And the Lord said…So shall the king of Assyria lead away the Egyptians prisoners, and the Ethiopians captives, young and old, naked and barefoot, even with their buttocks uncovered, to the shame of Egypt." Isa 20:3,4 |
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Capitalism Okay, I know that "capitalism" is a Marxist term; but in order to accommodate the skew of the language due to the modern American education system, I've used it to headline the American way of more-or-less free-market economics. Wealth and Poverty 20.13 Redistribution of wealth, welfare, or sponging was commanded. "Let no man seek his own, but every man another’s wealth." 1Cor 10:24 20.14 Wealth and possessions were burdens if not curses. "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:" Mt 6:19 "Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses," Mt 10:9 "Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor…Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven." Mt 19:21,23 "And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!" Mk 10:23 "But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation." Lk 6:24 Poverty was a blessing. "…Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God." Lk 6:20 "…Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?" Jas 2:5 But wealth was recommended. "Then shalt thou lay up gold as dust, and the gold of Ophir as the stones of the brooks." Job 22:24 "So the Lord blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning: for he had fourteen thousand sheep, and six thousand camels, and a thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand she asses." Job 42:12 "The rich man’s wealth is his strong city: the destruction of the poor is their poverty." Prov 10:15 "A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children’s children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just." Prov 13:22 "Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away." Mt 5:42 Neither wealth nor poverty was a blessing. "…give me neither poverty nor riches…" Prov 30:8 Finance 20.15 You couldn’t charge interest for loans to friends, relatives, or poor people. "Thou shalt not lend upon usury to thy brother; usury of money, usury of victuals, usury of any thing that is lent upon usury: Unto a stranger thou mayest lend upon usury; but unto thy brother thou shalt not lend upon usury…" Deut 23:19 "If thou lend money to any of my people that is poor by thee, thou shalt not be to him as an usurer, neither shalt thou lay upon him usury." Ex 22:25 "And if thy brother be waxen poor, and fallen in decay with thee; then thou shalt relieve him: yea, though he be a stranger, or a sojourner; that he may live with thee. Take thou no usury of him, or increase…Thou shalt not give him thy money upon usury, nor lend him thy victuals for increase." Lev 25:35-37 But if you did lend to a friend or relative, you needed to cancel that debt after seven years. "At the end of every seven years thou shalt make a release…Every creditor that lendeth ought unto his neighbour shall release it; he shall not exact it of his neighbour, or of his brother…;" Deut 15:1,2 You didn’t have to cancel a stranger’s loan, however. "Of a foreigner thou mayest exact it again…" Deut 15:3 20.16 You could lend to other nations but not borrow from them. "…thou shalt lend unto many nations, but thou shalt not borrow…" Deut 15:6 Investing 20.17 Successful investing was rewarded. Unsuccessful investing would get you damned. A servant’s duty was to increase his master’s wealth (even if the boss did not earn it by the sweat of his brow). This came from the parable of the man traveling to a far country (Mt 14-30). "His lord answered and said unto [the man who buried his master’s money for safekeeping], Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strowed: Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth." Mt 25:26-30 Sharecropping 20.18 Another parable supported the eviction of sharecroppers for non-payment of the landowner’s share of the harvest (Mt 21:33-44). "[The landlord] will miserably destroy those wicked men, and will let out his vineyard unto other husbandmen, which shall render him the fruits in their seasons." Mt 21:41 Economic Class Warfare 20.19 The Bible condoned the rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer. No sense allowing the lower classes to operate in a free economic system where they could improve themselves. They were just a permanent part of the Biblical ruling elite’s society and always would be. "For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath." Mt 13:12 "For ye have the poor always with you…" Mt 26:11 20.20 The Bible would have us ignore earthly necessities and comforts. They distract us from heavenly thoughts. More likely, an ambitious peasantry threatened the security of the ruling class. "Sell that ye have, and give alms…. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." Lk 12:33,34 "Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth." Col 3:2 "…I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung…" Phil 3:8 "And having food and raiment let us be therewith content." 1Tim 6:8 "Love not…the things that are in the world…" 1Jn 2:15 20.21 The Bible recognized only "tradition-based economics." These practices of ancient and stagnant societies are almost diametrically opposed to modern economic theories. "…[Jabal] was the father of such as dwell in tents, and of such as have cattle. [Jubal] was the father of all such as handle the harp and organ…Tubalcain, an instructor of every artificer in brass and iron…" Gen 4:20-22 Taxation 20.22 The New Testament portrayed tax collectors as sympathetic characters. These people (who stifled economic progress, stole property with the government’s blessing, and invaded lives) weren’t really bad at heart, they were only victims themselves. "And when [they] saw [Jesus] eat with publicans [tax agents] and sinners, they said unto his disciples, How is it that he eateth and drinketh with publicans and sinners? When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." Mk 2:16,17 "…Zacchaeus…was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich…he was little of stature. And when Jesus…saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus…to day I must abide at thy house…And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold." Lk 19:2,3,5,8 20.23 Pay your taxes. "For this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers…" Rom 13:6 "For this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom…" Rom 13:6,7 20.24 Not only that, but your money wasn’t yours, it was the government’s, if they let you keep any. "…Whose is this image and superscription [on the coin]? They say unto him, Caesar’s. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s…" Mt 22:20,21 Fair Day’s Pay for a Fair Day’s Work 20.25 This parable was written before labor unions and labor laws. According to the parable of the vineyard laborers ("the last shall be first…") it was okay to pay all laborers the same daily wage, no matter how long they worked that day. If an employer cheated his laborers, it was okay; because they agreed to it before knowing what the deal was going to be. After all, it was the employer’s money. (Mt 20:1-16) 20.26 Paul said we should be rewarded according to our own labor. If we didn’t work, we wouldn’t eat. "…every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour." 1Cor 3:8 "…if any would not work, neither should he eat." 2Thes 3:10 "…Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on…" Mt 6:25 Socialism & Redistribution of Wealth 20.27 The Bible could serve as a handbook for the local commune. "And all that believed were together, and had all things common;" Acts 2:44 "Let no man seek his own, but every man another’s wealth." 1Cor 10:24 |
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Charity 20.28 One was to give everything to the poor, but what were the people who bought your stuff supposed to do with their newly acquired goods? How could you sell your stuff, if anyone who bought it became a sinner. Would you not, then, have been aiding and abetting the commission of sin? "Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me." Mt 19:21 "Sell that ye have, and give alms…" Lk 12:33 "…sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor…" Lk 18:22 20.29 These passages apply to all the rich TV evangelists with flashy wardrobes and big incomes. "…He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none…" Lk 3:11 "…and him that taketh away thy cloak forbid not to take thy coat also." Lk 6:29 "A bishop then must be…not greedy of filthy lucre…" 1Tim 3:2,3 "Likewise must the deacons be…not greedy of filthy lucre;" 1Tim 3:8 "For a bishop must be…not given to filthy lucre;" Titus 1:7 20.30 Paul said that we should not expect charity but to fend for ourselves. |
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Prayer in Public Schools 20.31 Jesus said prayer in public was to be avoided, especially the repetitive type. "And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men…But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking." Mt 6:5-7 |
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Justice System If the following crimes and punishments didn’t come from the Bible, we’d probably say that this was a barbaric and totally unjust form of society which would not be missed if it totally disappeared from the face of the earth. Trial by Jury 20.32 Trials for a woman’s adultery were to be by ordeal, not by a jury of their peers. It was to be presided over by a priest, not a judge; and it was to be done without legal counsel. "And when [the priest] hath made her to drink the water, then…if she be defiled, and have done trespass against her husband, that the water that causeth the curse shall enter into her, and become bitter, and her belly shall swell, and her thigh shall rot: and the woman shall be a curse among her people. And if the woman be not defiled, but be clean; then she shall be free…This is the law of jealousies, when a wife goeth aside to another instead of her husband, and is defiled;" Num 5:27,28 Not-Quite-Capital Offenses 20.33 It was a crime to help the elderly avoid freezing to death on a Saturday. It was also a crime to fix a hot meal on Saturday. "Ye shall kindle no fire throughout your habitations upon the sabbath day." Ex 35:3 20.34 Beating, whipping, or caning was allowed, up to forty lashes, that is. More than forty lashes looked bad. "Forty stripes he may give him, and not exceed: lest, if he should exceed, and beat him above these with many stripes, then thy brother should seem vile unto thee." Deut 25:3 20.35 A judge would sentence using the eye-for-an-eye criterion, not by using sentencing guidelines. "And thine eye shall not pity; but life shall go for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot." Deut 19:21 20.36 Poor burglars were sold into slavery. Successful ones just made restitution. "…[the Burglar] should make full restitution; if he have nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft." Ex 22:3 20.37 Failure to adopt the faith meant blindness. "Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on [Elymas]…wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord? And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand." Acts 13:9-11 20.38 Any woman grabbing a man’s privates to save her husband during a fight would have her hand cut off. "When men strive together…and the wife of the one draweth near for to deliver her husband out of the hand of him that smiteth him, and putteth forth her hand, and taketh him by the secrets: Then thou shalt cut off her hand…" Deut 25:11 Capital Offenses & Death Penalty 20.39 Murder required execution. There’s nothing here about prison, parole, the insanity defense, or rehabilitation. "Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed…" Gen 9:6 "He that smiteth a man, so that he die, shall be surely put to death." Ex 21:12 20.40 The murderer, Cain, got off relatively lightly. "…When thou tillest the ground, it shall not henceforth yield unto thee her strength; a fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be in the earth." Gen 4:11,12 But woe be to anyone who killed Cain-seven death sentences. "…whosoever slayeth Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold." Gen 4:15 20.41 Witchcraft and wizardry meant death. This was liberally applied throughout history. "Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live." Ex 22:18 "A man also or woman that hath a familiar spirit, or that is a wizard, shall surely be put to death: they shall stone them with stones: their blood shall be upon them." Lev 20:6,27 20.42 Killing a burglar was okay, if it was done before dawn. "If a thief be found breaking up, and be smitten that he die, there shall no blood be shed for him. If the sun be risen upon him, there shall be blood shed for him…" Ex 22:2,3 20.43 Hiding loot from the priests required that the perpetrator and his family be stoned and burned to death. "And it shall be, that he that is taken with the accursed thing shall be burnt with fire, he and all that he hath: because he hath transgressed the covenant of the Lord, and because he hath wrought folly in Israel." Josh 7:15 "And Joshua, and all Israel with him, took Achan the son of Zerah…and his sons, and his daughters…and all that he had…And all Israel stoned him with stones, and burned them with fire, after they had stoned them with stones." Josh 7:24,25 20.44 Inadequate generosity in the collection plate meant death. "…as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, And laid them down at the apostles’ feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need…But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, and kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it, at the apostles’ feet. But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God. Ananias…fell down, and gave up the ghost…And the young men…buried him…his wife, not knowing what was done, came in. And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea…Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord?…Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men…buried her by her husband." Acts 4:34,35, 5:1,2-10 20.45 Children should be stoned to death for stubbornness and disobedience. "If a man have a stubborn and rebellious son, which will not obey the voice of his father, or the voice of his mother, and that, when they have chastened him, will not hearken unto them…And all the men of his city shall stone him with stones, that he die…" Deut 21:18,21 20.46 Cursing invoked the death penalty. "[Anyone who] curseth his father, or his mother, shall surely be put to death." Ex 21:1 & Lev 20:9 "Bring forth him that hath cursed without the camp…and let all the congregation stone him." Lev 24:14 & 23 20.47 Pre-marital sex by a girl was punishable by death. A whoring priest’s daughter was burned to death, because she profaned her father. "But if this thing be true, and the tokens of virginity be not found for the damsel: Then they shall bring out the damsel to the door of her father’s house, and the men of her city shall stone her with stones that she die…" Deut 22:20,21 "And the daughter of any priest, if she profane herself by playing the whore, she profaneth her father: she shall be burnt with fire." Lev 21:9 20.48 Adultery and fornication were sometimes punishable by death. "If a man be found lying with a woman married to an husband, then they shall both of them die, both the man that lay with the woman, and the woman…" Deut 22:22
However, if one fornicated with an engaged slave, whip the girl. "And whosoever lieth carnally with a woman, that is a bondmaid, betrothed to an husband, and not at all redeemed, nor freedom given her; she shall be scourged; they shall not be put to death, because she was not free." Lev 19:20 20.49 Incest with your mother, step-mother, son, or step-son was punishable by death. "And the man that lieth with his father’s wife…both of them shall surely be put to death…" Lev 20:11 20.50 Incest with your daughter-in-law or father-in-law was punishable by death. "And if a man lie with his daughter in law, both of them shall surely be put to death…" Lev 20:12 20.51 Incest with your wife and her mother or your son-in-law with your daughter present was punishable by being burned to death. "And if a man take a wife and her mother…they shall be burnt with fire, both he and they…" Lev 20:14 20.52 Bestiality was punishable by death for man, woman, and beast. "Whosoever lieth with a beast shall surely be put to death." Ex 22:19 "And if a man lie with a beast, he shall surely be put to death: and ye shall slay the beast. And if a woman approach unto any beast, and lie down thereto, thou shalt kill the woman, and the beast…" Lev 20:15,16 20.53 Homosexuality was punishable by death. "If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman…they shall surely be put to death" Lev 20:13 20.54 Playing the harlot and whore meant being burned alive. "…Tamar thy daughter in law hath played the harlot; and also, behold, she is with child by whoredom. And Judah said, Bring her forth, and let her be burnt." Gen 38:24 20.55 Rape of a betrothed woman meant death. "But if a man find a betrothed damsel in the field, and the man force her, and lie with her: then the man only that lay with her shall die:" Deut 22:25 "If a man find a damsel that is a virgin, which is not betrothed, and lay hold on her, and lie with her…Then the man that lay with her shall give unto the damsel’s father fifty shekels of silver, and she shall be his wife…he may not put her away all his days." Deut 22:28,29 20.56 Complaining could be punished by being burned to death, especially if one were bored with eating manna. Either that, or one could be attacked and killed by fiery serpents. "And when the people complained, it displeased the Lord: and the Lord heard it; and his anger was kindled; and the fire of the Lord burnt among them, and consumed them that were in the uttermost parts of the camp." Num 11:1 "And the mixed multitude that was among them fell a lusting: and the children of Israel also wept again, and said, Who shall give us flesh to eat? We remember the fish, which we did eat in Egypt freely; the cucumbers, and the melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlic…and the Lord smote the people with a very great plague. And he called the name of that place Kibrothhattaavah: because there they buried the people that lusted." Num 11:4,5,33,34 "…Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no bread, neither is there any water; and our soul loatheth this light bread. And the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died." Num 21:5 20.57 Careless livestock handling invoked the death penalty for both man and ox. PeTA would be so pleased. "If an ox gore a man or a woman, that they die: then the ox shall be surely stoned…but the owner of the ox shall be quit. But if the ox were wont to push with his horn in time past, and it hath been testified to his owner, and he hath not kept him in, but that he hath killed a man or a woman; the ox shall be stoned, and his owner also shall be put to death." Ex 21:28,29 Religious Transgressions Punishment of purely religious transgressions involved penalties which we would now consider invalid except as applied by a civil or criminal court. This is especially true when these transgressions were punishable by death. 20.58 A number of purely religious violations resulted in being "cut off." Some maintain that "cut off" meant death. "…that soul shall be cut off from my presence…They shall therefore keep mine ordinance, lest they bear sin for it, and die therefore, if they profane it…" Lev 22:3,9
- Failure to be mutilate a child meant the child was cut off. Gen 17:14 20.59 Failing to observe the sabbath meant death. (See Chapter 20) "Ye shall keep the sabbath…every one that defileth it shall surely be put to death…whosoever doeth any work in the sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death." Ex 31:14,15 "…they found a man that gathered sticks upon the sabbath day. And the Lord said unto Moses, The man shall be surely put to death: all the congregation shall stone him with stones without the camp. And all the congregation…stoned him with stones, and he died; as the Lord commanded Moses." Num 15:32,35,36 20.60 Worshipping or advocating worship of another god. Even one’s friends and family would be stoned to death. "He that sacrificeth unto any god, save unto the Lord only, he shall be utterly destroyed." Ex 22:20 "…[Moses] saw the calf, and the dancing…and he cast the tables out of his hands, and brake them beneath the mount…And he said unto them, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, Put every man his sword by his side…and slay every man his brother, and every man his companion, and every man his neighbour…And the Lord plagued the people, because they made the calf, which Aaron made." Ex 32:19,27,35 "If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a sign or a wonder, and the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spake unto thee, saying, Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them…that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams, shall be put to death…" Deut 13:1,2,5 "If thy brother, the son of thy mother, or thy son, or thy daughter, or the wife of thy bosom, or thy friend…entice thee secretly, saying, Let us go and serve other gods…thou shalt surely kill him; thine hand shall be first upon him to put him to death, and afterwards the hand of all the people. And thou shalt stone him with stones, that he die…" Deut 13:6,9,10 "…if it be truth, and the thing certain, that [advocating the worship of other gods] is wrought among you; thou shalt surely smite the inhabitants of that city with the edge of the sword, destroying it utterly…" Deut 13:14,15 "If [anyone] among you…hath gone and served other gods, and worshipped them, either the sun, or moon, or any of the host of heaven, which I have not commanded…Then shalt thou bring forth that man or that woman…and shalt stone them with stones, till they die." Deut 17:2,3,5 "But the prophet…that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die." Deut 18:20 20.61 Failure to toe the line resulted in the slaughter of pregnant women and unborn children. "Samaria shall become desolate; for she hath rebelled against her they shall fall by the sword: their infants shall be dashed in pieces, and their women with child shall be ripped up." Hos 13:16 20.62 Blaspheming the name of the Lord. "And the Israelitish woman’s son blasphemed the name of the Lord, and cursed…And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, Bring forth him that hath cursed…and let all that heard him lay their hands upon his head, and let all the congregation stone him…And he that blasphemeth the name of the Lord, he shall surely be put to death, all the congregation shall certainly stone him: as well the stranger, as he that is born in the land, when he blasphemeth the name of the Lord, shall be put to death." Lev 24:11,13,14,16 20.63 Being presumptuous by ignoring a priest. "And the man that will do presumptuously, and will not hearken unto the priest that standeth to minister there before the Lord thy God, or unto the judge, even that man shall die…" Deut 17:12 20.64 Approaching the altar or entering a holy place, especially without linen breeches or without alerting God with bells. "…a golden bell and a pomegranate, upon the hem of the robe round about. And it shall be upon Aaron to minister: and his sound shall be heard when he goeth in unto the holy place before the Lord, and when he cometh out, that he die not." Ex 28:34,35 "And thou shalt make them linen breeches to cover their nakedness; from the loins even unto the thighs they shall reach: And they shall be upon Aaron, and upon his sons, when they come in unto the tabernacle of the congregation, or when they come near unto the altar to minister in the holy place; that they bear not iniquity, and die: it shall be a statute for ever unto him and his seed after him." Ex 28:42,43 "But they shall not go in to see when the holy things are covered, lest they die." Num 4:20 "…they shall not come nigh the vessels of the sanctuary and the altar, that neither they, nor ye also, die." Num 18:3 "…Whosoever…goeth unto the holy things…having his uncleanness upon him, that soul shall be cut off from my presence…They shall therefore keep mine ordinance, lest they bear sin for it, and die therefore, if they profane it…" Lev 22:3,9 20.65 Touching a holy thing, even if trying to be helpful. "…they shall not touch any holy thing, lest they die." Num 4:15 "…Uzzah put forth his hand to the ark of God, and took hold of it; for the oxen shook it. And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Uzzah; and God smote him there for his error; and there he died by the ark of God." 2Sam 6:6,7 20.66 Wandering too close to a priest or the tabernacle. "…when the tabernacle is to be pitched…the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death." Num 1:51 "…they shall wait on their priest’s office: and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death." Num 3:10 "But those that encamp before the tabernacle…and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death." Num 3:38 "Whosoever cometh any thing near unto the tabernacle of the Lord shall die…" Num 17:13 "Therefore thou and thy sons with thee shall keep your priest’s office for every thing of the altar, and within the veil; and ye shall serve…and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death." Num 18:7 "Neither must the children of Israel henceforth come nigh the tabernacle of the congregation, lest they bear sin, and die." Num 18:22 20.67 Using the wrong kind of fire at the altar. "And Nadab and Abihu…offered strange fire before the Lord, which he commanded them not. And there went out fire from the Lord, and devoured them, and they died before the Lord." Lev 10:1,2 20.68 Erroneous or false prophesying. "But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak…even that prophet shall die." Deut 18:20 Segregation of the Infirm 20.69 Nothing like denying equal access by the victims of disease and injury. "Command the children of Israel, that they put out of the camp every leper, and every one that hath an issue…" Num 5:2 "He that is wounded in the stones, or hath his privy member cut off, shall not enter into the congregation of the Lord." Deut 23:1 Victims of Crime 20.70 Jesus said you should not defend yourself. "…resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also." Mt 5:39 "And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain." Mt 5:41 "…Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;" Mt 5:44 "For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:" Mt 6:14 "…Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven." Mt 18:21,22 "…and him that taketh away thy cloak forbid not to take thy coat also." Lk 6:29 "…Be not afraid of them that kill the body…" Lk 12:4 Litigation 20.71 Don’t fight your opponents in court, just give in. Are there any Christians in the Trial Lawyers’ Association? "And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also." Mt 5:40 "Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison. Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing." Mt 5:25,26 |
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Progress 20.72 God destroyed the Tower of Babel to prevent human progress. "…and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do." Gen 11:6 |
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Women’s Equality The Bible was full of passages where women were treated as less than men. I’ve included only a few here, but you'll get the point. 20.73 Wives were subservient to husbands. "Unto the woman he said…thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee." Gen 3:16 20.74 Slave girls were treated differently than slave men. "And if a man sell his daughter to be a maidservant, she shall not go out as the menservants do." Ex 21:2-7 20.75 Pre-marital sex by a girl was punishable by death. There was no mention of any punishment for pre-marital sex by a boy. "But if this thing be true, and the tokens of virginity be not found for the damsel: Then they shall bring out the damsel to the door of her father’s house, and the men of her city shall stone her with stones that she die…" Deut 22:20,21 20.76 Whoring by a priest’s daughter meant being burned to death, because it profaned her father. Fun-loving sons weren’t mentioned. "And the daughter of any priest, if she profane herself by playing the whore, she profaneth her father: she shall be burnt with fire." Lev 21:9 20.77 The Bible implied that we should sacrifice our women to the mob in order to protect male guests from rape. "And [the Sodomites] called unto Lot, and said unto him, Where are the men which came in to thee this night? bring them out unto us, that we may [sodomize] them…[And Lot said] Behold now, I have two daughters which have not known man; let me, I pray you, bring them out unto you, and do ye to them as is good in your eyes: only unto these men do nothing; for therefore came they under the shadow of my roof." Gen 19:5-8 "…the men of the city…beset the house round about, and beat at the door…Bring forth the man that came into thine house, that we may know him. And the man, the master of the house, went out unto them, and said unto them…do not so wickedly; seeing that this man is come into mine house, do not this folly. Behold, here is my daughter a maiden, and his concubine; them I will bring out now, and humble ye them, and do with them what seemeth good unto you: but unto this man do not so vile a thing. But the men would not hearken to him: so the man took his concubine, and brought her forth unto them; and they knew her, and abused her all the night until the morning: and when the day began to spring, they let her go." Judg 19:22-25 20.78 One should burn an illegitimate mother. Perhaps we should invite the daddy to the barbecue. "…Tamar thy daughter in law hath played the harlot; and also, behold, she is with child by whoredom. And Judah said, Bring her forth, and let her be burnt." Gen 38:24 20.79 Girl babies induced twice as much uncleanness as boy babies. "…If a woman have…born a man child: then she shall be unclean seven days…" Lev 12:2 "But if she bear a maid child, then she shall be unclean two weeks…" Lev 12:5 20.80 Not all the trappings of women’s liberation (pant suits, battle-dress uniforms, and the like) were acceptable. "The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman’s garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the Lord thy God." Deut 22:5 20.81 A raped damsel’s father was compensated; but not only was the victim not compensated for being raped, she was to be forcibly wed to her rapist. The rapist was punished by having to marry a woman who was devalued by having been raped by him. "If a man find a damsel that is a virgin, which is not betrothed, and lay hold on her, and lie with her, and they be found; Then the man that lay with her shall give unto the damsel’s father fifty shekels of silver, and she shall be his wife; because he hath humbled her, he may not put her away all his days." Deut 22:28,29 20.82 God punished David by placing his wives into public sexual bondage. David remained king. "Thus saith the Lord, Behold, I will raise up evil against thee out of thine own house, and I will take thy wives before thine eyes, and give them unto thy neighbour, and he shall lie with thy wives in the sight of this sun." 2Sam 12:11 20.83 Women: hats. Men: no hats. Why the difference? What the heck difference could that have made to God? "Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head. But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head…." 1Cor 11:4,5 20.84 Women couldn’t speak in church, so they couldn’t preach. "Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law." 1Cor 14:34 20.85 This exceeds even the imaginary "glass ceiling," and all of my grammar-school teachers were evidently sinners. "But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence." 1Tim 2:12 20.86 Treat women respectfully, but subordinately. "For after this manner in the old time the holy women…being in subjection unto their own husbands: Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord…Likewise, ye husbands…giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel…" 1Pet 3:5-7 |
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Submission to Tyranny 20.87 The Bible clearly advocated the tyrannical application of raw power to the conquest of the world with force and ruthlessness. "For the nation and kingdom that will not serve thee shall perish; yea, those nations shall be utterly wasted." Isa 60:12 "And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations…And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers…". Rev 2:26,27 20.88 The Bible also admonished people to meekly accept the tyrannies they encountered. "Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil…For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake." Rom 13:1-5 "Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates…" Titus 3:1 "Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers…" 1Pet 2:13,14 "…resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also." Mt 5:39 "And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain." Mt 5:41 "…Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;" Mt 5:44 "For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:" Mt 6:14 "…Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven." Mt 18:21,22 "…Be not afraid of them that kill the body…" Lk 12:4 "Do all things without murmurings and disputings:" Phil 2:14 "Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content." Phil 4:11 "Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;" 1Pet 4:1 |
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Knowing One’s Place 20.89 The Bible admonished people to accept things as they were. Individual growth and progress in one’s economic, social, or intellectual situation was discouraged. This was the caste system, feudalism, and a foundation stone of tyranny. "Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth." Mt 5:5 "Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits." Rom 12:16 "Do all things without murmurings and disputings:" Phil 2:14 "Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content." Phil 4:11 |
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Ten Commandments The Commandments have political, legal, and constitutional issues which are discussed in Appendix A. However, they are also frequently mentioned as a basis for American morality. Let's see just what they say and how we really look at their content today. 20.90 The First Commandment violates our free exercise of religion and would contradict a fundamental basis of American liberty and one of the major motivations of the early European settlers. It would also deny the rights of those who follow American aboriginal religions, Oriental religions and so forth. No, I can't believe that a reasonable modern American would be so bigotted as to seriously deny any other American their freedom to worship whatever diety they wish. I. "Thou shalt have no other gods before me." 20.91 The Second Commandment codifies religious bigotry, it punishes the innocent, it violates our free exercise of religion, and it would violate the generally accepted principle of free artistic expression. Note how the fundamentalist extremists in Afghanistan treated the statues of Buddah — they were just following this commandment. II. "Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth, Thou shalt not bow down thyself to [the graven images], nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third an fourth generation of them that hate me; And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments." 20.92 The Third Commandment violates our fundamental principles of free expression. Certainly, cursing is foul and anti-social to well-mannered people, but it is no longer rare in public discourse. It would be silly for God to waste a "top-ten" stamp on mere good manners. III. "Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain." 20.93 The Fourth Commandment requires that everyone take Saturday off every week, but modern society couldn’t function if everyone took the same day off. Think fire fighting, police, medicine, military, utilities, traffic signals…televised church services. Even pious Christians violate this by observing Sunday as the sabbath (see: Chapter 26). (The differences in the two versions are in brackets below.) IV. "Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: But the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates; that thy manservant and thy maidservant may rest as well as thou. [And remember that thou wast a servant in the land of Egypt, and that the Lord thy God brought thee out thence through a mighty hand and by a stretched out arm: therefore the Lord thy God commanded thee to keep the sabbath day. (Deut)] [For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it. (Ex)]" 20.94 The Fifth, Sixth, and Seventh Commandments don’t define "kill," "adultery," or "steal" well enough to be used as standards of behavior. Okay, so killing, adultery, and theft are bad. Duuuuh! Hey, everyone knows that, but it's not that black-and-white, no ethical question is. What kinds of killing, adultery, and theft are allowed. Does "kill" include judicial punishment? self-defense? murder only? fetuses? embryos? fertilized eggs? Do we use the complicated, contradictory Biblical standards of adultery (see: Chapter 19)? Does "lusting in my heart" count? Does over-taxing count as theft? How about leasing a big Manhattan office on the taxpayers nickle? Using the take-a-penny tray? What's the use of these simplistic declarations? We poor, confused mortals could use some help here. V. "Thou shalt not kill." 20.95 The Eighth Commandment is ethnocentric in that it forbids false witness only against one’s neighbor, which originally meant fellow Hebrews. Why is "against thy neighbor" included? Is bearing false witness against foreigners okay? VIII. "Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour." 20.96 The Ninth Commandment is a blatant violation of the fundamental tenets of a free society — it regulates thought, not behavior. We as Americans try to ignore thought crimes and punish only overt crimes. Unfortunately, "hate crime" legislation is a dangerous trend toward this tyrannical viewpoint, but it does seem to correspond to the objective of this commandment. (The differences in the two versions are in brackets below.) IX. "Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house, [nor his field (Deut)] thou shalt not [covet (Ex)] [desire (Deut)] thy neighbour’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour’s." 20.97 The Tenth Commandment may seem highly desirable; but it overlooks things like child abuse, neglect, and other acts of unworthy parents. It also says that the reason for the commandment as a religious observance, not social good. It also seems to be based on some form of bribery (a promise of good times), not morality. X. "Honour thy father and thy mother, as the Lord thy God hath commanded thee; that thy days may be prolonged, and that it may go well with thee, in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee." It’s clear that the commandments were intended mainly to enforce the worship of the Hebrew God, with a few currently accepted social standards thrown in to enhance the clergy’s political power by giving them some authority over secular behavior. There is nothing in these commandments which can be used as a unique standard for the foundation of a free society. Indeed, most of the commandments would violate what are clearly different American standards. |
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Early America was largely settled by and made independent by people seeking freedom from state religions, religion-oriented governments and their taxes. As we’ll see below, the Bible promoted policies and principles which are totally anathema to the principles of American society.