2010: Year of the Bible?

Fri, 22 May 2009 21:48:00 -0500

I have come across a news story that is unexpected, and shows the utter disassociation that the American Congress has with reality. I refer to House Concurrent Resolution 121, proposed by Rep. Broun (R-GA), that if passed would encourage the President to name 2010 the "National Year of the Bible".

Aside from the fact that this is a rediculous waste of time by Congressmen who should be more worried about the emergence of economic fascism than the Bible, there are claims in these three pieces of paper that need to be dissected.

Whereas the Bible has had a profound impact in shaping
America into a great Nation;

That is debatable. That book has been used to justify slavery, a civil war, oppression of children, state religion, marriage discrimination, persecution of homosexuals, and invasions of other states. If Broun et. al. consider that the book something on which to originate a great nation, I question their fitness to serve as represenatives of the people.

Whereas deep religious beliefs stemming from the Old and
New Testament of the Bible have inspired Americans
from all walks of life, especially the early settlers, whose
faith, spiritual courage, and moral strength enabled them
to endure intense hardships in this new land;

No one can dispute that.

Whereas many of our Presidents have recognized the importance
of God and the Bible, including George Washington;
Franklin D. Roosevelt; Harry Truman; John F. Kennedy; Ronald Reagan, who declared 1983 as ''The
National Year of the Bible''; and especially Abraham Lincoln,
whose 200th Birthday Celebration in 2009 highlighted
freedom for the slaves;

I don't believe that the religious beliefs of six people are justification for a state endorsement of such beliefs. That justification means nothing.

Whereas shared Biblical beliefs unified the colonists and gave
our early leaders the wisdom to write the Declaration of
Independence and the Constitution of the United States,
both of which recognized the inherent worth, dignity, and
inalienable rights of each individual, thus unifying a diverse
people with the right to vote, and the freedoms of
speech and vast religious freedoms, which inspired courageous
men like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to lead the
Civil Rights Movement;

The American Founders did not base the Constitution on the Bible. The Constitution contains virtually no references to a god or other religous values. The Bible is not a full-force endorsement of human rights. It can, however, be twisted and censored to make it such.

Whereas the Bible has been the world's best selling book
since it was first published in English in 1526, and has
influenced more people than any other book;

Harry Potter is also a huge seller. Should Congress designate 2010 as the National Year of Magic? No. Also, it was not first published in England. Has Broun not heard of earlier copies of the Bible written in Hebrew and Greek?

Whereas the Bible has been a cornerstone in the development
of Western civilization, influencing the nations in the
areas of history, law, politics, culture, music, literature,
art, drama, and especially moral philosophy;

It has played a significant role, but it is not exactly a cornerstone.

Whereas the Bible, used as a moral guide, has inspired compassion,
love for our neighbor, and the preciousness of
life and marriage, and has stimulated many benevolent,
faith-based community initiatives and neighborhood partnerships
that have healed and blessed our families, communities,
and our entire Nation, especially in times of
war, tragedy, and economic and social crisis;

The wording is over-the-top and exaggerated, but the underlying principle: that Christianity has inspired many good acts, is a correct one. It has also inspired many evil acts.

Whereas the Bible has inspired acts of patriotism that have
unified Americans, commemorated through shared celebrations
such as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor
Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas; and

How are those holidays even remotely connected to the Bible, aside from Thanksgiving and Christmas? Most of these holidays or what they represent are at best tenuously connected to the Bible.

Whereas 2010 is an appropriate year to designate as ''The
National Year of the Bible''

How did they arrive at that conclusion? Why is 2010 appropiate more than 2009, 2011, 2035, or 3146?

[...](2) to issue a proclamation calling upon citizens of all faiths to rediscover and apply the priceless, timeless message of the Holy Scripture which has profoundly influenced and shaped the United States and its great democratic form of Government, as well as its rich spiritual heritage, and which has unified, healed, and strengthened its people for over 200 years.

To me, it is crossing the line too much for comfort for the President issuing a formal proclamation endorsing Christianity. It's fine for him to informally do so, but giving it official backing is too much.

At any rate, the measure probably won't pass the House or Senate, and is a waste of time, effort, and paper to try to do this proposal. Do they not have more important things to work on? Like preventing the economic fascization of the US, stopping an emerging totalitarian regime, auditing the Fed, or stopping hyperinflation?

The Patrician Blog - Politics

2010: Year of the Bible?