Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Toto · 10-02-2007, 12:49 AM

Tim Russert sprang a completely off the wall question at a recent Democratic debate - "What is your favorite Bible verse?"

For the record, this is what the candidates came up with (thanks to sarahinchicago at Daily Kos:

Dennis Kucinich’s (Prayer of St. Francis of Assissi)

Quote:

I carry that with me at every debate, this prayer from St. Francis, which says, "Lord, make me an instrument of your peace," and I believe very strongly that all of us can be instruments of peace. And that’s what I try to bring to public life.

Problem: it's not in the Bible.

John Edwards (Matthew 18:5 or Matthew 25:37):

Quote:

It appears many times in the Bible, "What you do unto the least of those, you do unto me."

Hillary Clinton (Matthew 7:12):

Quote:

The Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. I think it’s a good rule for politics, too.

Mike Gravel (1 Corinthians 13:13):

Quote:

The most important thing in life is love. That’s what empowers courage, and courage implements the rest of our virtues.

Bill Richardson (Matthew 5-7):

Quote:

The Sermon on the Mount, because I believe its an issue of social justice, equality, brotherly issues reflecting a nation that is deeply torn and needs to be healed and come together

.

Chris Dodd (Luke 10:25-37):

Quote:

The Good Samaritan would be a worthwhile sort of description of who we all ought to be in life.

Barack Obama (Matthew 5-7 ):

Quote:

Well, I think it would have to be the Sermon on the Mount, because it expresses a basic principle that I think we’ve lost over the last six years. John talked about what we’ve lost. Part of what we’ve lost is a sense of empathy towards each other. We have been governed in fear and division, and you know, we talk about the Federal deficit, but we don’t talk enough about the empathy deficit, a sense that I stand in somebody else’s shoes, I see through their eyes. People who are struggling trying to figure out how to pay the gas bill, or try to send their kids to college. We are not thinking about them at the Federal level. That’s the reason I’m running for President, because I want to restore that.

The John must be John Edwards, since gJohn did not record a Sermon on the Mount, nor did the John of Revelation or of the Episltes.

Joe Biden (Luke 11:37-54 or Luke 2:41-52 or other):

Quote:

Christ’s warning of the Pharisees. There are many Pharisees, and its part of what has bankrupted some people’s view about religion. And I worry about the Pharisees.

Is this about cultural literacy? Is there some point to selecting one Bible verse, out of context?

No one picked Ezekiel 25:17 (via Pulp Fiction)

Quote:

The path of the righteous man is beset on all sides by the iniquities of the selfish and the tyranny of evil men. Blessed is he who, in the name of charity and good will, shepherds the weak through the valley of the darkness. For he is truly his brother’s keeper and the finder of lost children. And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who attempt to poison and destroy my brothers. And you will know my name is the Lord when I lay my vengeance upon thee.

Actual verse:

Quote:

17And I will execute great vengeance upon them with furious rebukes; and they shall know that I am the LORD, when I shall lay my vengeance upon them.

So how would you answer this (admittedly stupid) question?

Toto · 10-02-2007, 01:00 AM

And it seems sarahinchicago was being generous in finding a Bible verse to fit the vague answer that some of these candidates came up with.

transcript. Mike Gravel only said "love," but did not quote Paul or I Corinthians by name.

dog-on · 10-02-2007, 01:35 AM

Wonder why none of them mentioned the one about passing a Camel through the needle's eye...

judge · 10-02-2007, 03:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toto

Is this about cultural literacy? Is there some point to selecting one Bible verse, out of context?

Well, the reformation seemed to create a need to do this. They could not accept the authority of Rome, so they needed another authority.
They came up with systems of theology.
This is done by emphasisng some verses and playing down others. If one wants an external authority in the form of scared writings, then one needs to be able to point to the verses one prefers.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toto

So how would you answer this (admittedly stupid) question?

..Blessed is the man who does not condemn himself in what he approves"

Romans 14:22(b)

"Everything is permissable.....but not everything is beneficial" 1 Corinthians 10:22

"The Father judges no one..." John 5:22

Dean Anderson · 10-02-2007, 03:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toto

So how would you answer this (admittedly stupid) question?

John 11:35 - "Jesus wept!"

I find that verse applicable to a wide variety of situations, especially those when one wishes to express surprise or frustration.

Lord Emsworth · 10-02-2007, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toto

Is this about cultural literacy? Is there some point to selecting one Bible verse, out of context?

[...]

So how would you answer this (admittedly stupid) question?

There is nothing new under the sun?

Clouseau · 10-02-2007, 02:54 PM

If you hear the President of the USA say this:

'What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church.' 1 Co 14:26 NIV

you're dreaming.

David B · 10-02-2007, 03:13 PM

My favourite biblical quote is

'Wine that maketh glad the heart of man'.

Cheers

Bottoms up!

Good Health

David B (is feeling thirsty)

No Robots · 10-02-2007, 03:17 PM

For a crowd of politicians and media?

If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am become sounding brass, or a clanging cymbal.--1Cor 13:1

Spanky · 10-02-2007, 07:58 PM

I don't remember where they are, nor do I know if they are exact quotes, but. . .

Quote:

Paul:
I am all things unto all men that by all means I might please some!

Quote:

Proverbs:
He who observes the clouds will not sow his seed!

I like those.

10-02-2007, 03:17 PM	#9
No Robots Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Edmonton Posts: 5,679	For a crowd of politicians and media? If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am become sounding brass, or a clanging cymbal.--1Cor 13:1

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10-02-2007, 01:00 AM	#2
Toto Contributor Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Los Angeles area Posts: 40,549	And it seems sarahinchicago was being generous in finding a Bible verse to fit the vague answer that some of these candidates came up with. transcript. Mike Gravel only said "love," but did not quote Paul or I Corinthians by name.

10-02-2007, 01:35 AM	#3
dog-on Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 3,397	Wonder why none of them mentioned the one about passing a Camel through the needle's eye...

10-02-2007, 02:54 PM	#7
Clouseau Banned Join Date: May 2007 Location: UK Posts: 1,918	If you hear the President of the USA say this: 'What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church.' 1 Co 14:26 NIV you're dreaming.

10-02-2007, 03:13 PM	#8
David B Contributor Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Wales Posts: 11,620	My favourite biblical quote is 'Wine that maketh glad the heart of man'. Cheers Bottoms up! Good Health David B (is feeling thirsty)

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