Yes, the world needs bibles, as well as copies of the Qur’an, Gita, Thora, Guru Granth Sahib, Book of Mormon, Tripitaka, and any other book that leads one to a path of personal faith. Are we encouraged to read any of these other books? Likely not.
Admittedly I have not read, cover to cover, many from this list. Yet I have studied different belief systems. Living among different cultures I have witnessed an overlapping of common themes similar to the Ten Commandments, caring for one another, and honoring the planet/universe. I believe that it is the extremists of separate belief systems that indoctrinate through fear and misinformation, with the goal of setting people against one another.
What we don’t need is a bible embedded with American nationalism, that on the surface, exclusively blesses the U.S. “Come all children” — that means from everywhere. “Do unto others” — that means giving graciously to others regardless of where they originate.
I love Lee Greenwood’s composition and lyrics. But his collaboration with Donald Trump to sell bibles seems misguided. I can think of few least Christian humans, and even fewer individuals who have brought such hatred and divisiveness to the nation and world as Trump.
I’m mystified by the far right’s demands of adherence to selected tenants of documents that guide our country’s democracy yet trod under the separation of church and state and other’s rights.
On Easter Sunday we sang the words of David Biorlin:
Build a longer table, not a higher wall, feeding those who hunger, making room for all. Feasting together, stranger turns to friend, Christ breaks walls to pieces, false divisions end.
So, yes, go buy — and more importantly read — religious books. But people, please do not marry nationalism with Christianity, or in anyway support a false prophet.
