The Bible

Most folks never take the time to read the Bible but rely, without question, on the interpretations provided by their preachers every Sunday morning. The few who do take the time to read the Bible do so with awe and reverence . Then there are a few folks who actually study the Bible critically with the intention of discovering if the Bible is really the source of all “Truths.”

Mr. Al Enderle’s letter to the editor published in the local newspaper (8/11/2000) gives the impression he reads the Bible with reverential awe. According to Mr. Enderle, the Bible is chock-a-block full of truths on how to live a highly moral and sane life, one filled with love and compassion because “...God loves us all and wants what is best for us....” Moreover, I assume, Mr. Enderle has faith that a careful reading of the Bible will answer such thorny scientific and social questions such as: Where did man come from?; What does the universe look like?; What is the basis of our differences and how can we become one with our community and God? These are very noble questions. But are the answers found in the Bible so nobly elevated?

While discussing the possible scientific evidence for the genetic basis for homosexual behavior, Mr. Enderle makes the common mistake of confusing a scientific theory with an opinion. All scientific theories are based on experimental evidence and highly structured observations. Scientific theories are founded on observable and reproducible evidence and therefore scientific theories are “factual.” The sun does not move across the sky but rather the Earth rotates on its axis. This is a factual statement based on the Copernicus-Galileo-Kepler-Newton “theory” of planetary motion. What does the Bible have to say about planetary motion? According to Joshua 10:12, God makes the sun stand still in the sky so that Joshua can get all his killing done before dark. Moreover, according to 1 Sam.2:8, 1 Chr.16:30; Job 9:6, 38:4-6; Ps.96:10, Psalms 19:4-5, Is.13:10 104:5, Is.13:10, Mic.6:2, the earth is stable and does not move. If so, according to the Bible, the Earth must not spin on its axis or revolve about the sun. Four hundred years ago the Catholic Church used these Biblical passages to sanction and forbid anyone who advocated the Copernican heresy. Finally, in 1986 Pope John Paul II admitted the Church was wrong and apologized to the world.

In terms of biological evolution Charles Darwin and many scientific workers over the past 141 years have amassed a mountain of experimental evidence and structured observation to show that life changes over time flowing from one kind into another continuously. What does the Bible have to say about how animals change? According to Gen.30:37-39 , Jacob displays his (and God's) knowledge of biology by having goats copulate while looking at streaked rods. The result is streaked baby goats. It would seem the author of Genesis (God?) believed that genetic characteristics of the offspring are determined by what the parents see at the moment of conception. There are those in some Protestant denominations who are willing to make the Catholic mistake again.

Mr. Enderle informs us, “God defines sin.... and “God has given us guidelines....when we choose his ways, our lives take on a dimension beyond our wildest dreams!” Lets take a close look at God’s ways: In Ex.20:5, 34:7, God punishes the children for the sins of their fathers, (unto the third and fourth generations). Then there are God’s instructions for buying a slave.(Ex.21:2), and instructions for selling your daughter (Ex.21:7), Next, children who strike their parents are to be killed (Ex.21:15) . It's OK to beat a slave as long as he lives a day or two "for he is his money." (Ex.21:20-21) , then you must kill those who worship another god (Ex.22:20) . If you make God angry, he will kill you with his own sword (Ex.22:24) , and sabbath breakers must be killed (Ex.31:14-15, 35:2 ). God tells every man to slay "his brother, companion, neighbor" (Ex.32:27) , baby girls are twice as dirty as baby boys
(Lev.12:1-8), and homosexuality is an abomination to God (Lev.18:22) . Then the bible instructs if you have sex with a slave woman, you must then scourge her (Lev.19:20) , children who curse their parents, adulterers, and homosexuals must be killed (Lev.20:9-12) , woman with "familiar spirits" must be stoned to death (Lev.20:27) , the unchaste daughters of priests must be burnt to death (Lev.21:9) , handicapped people must not approach the altar (Lev.21:16-23) , cursers and blasphemers must be stoned to death (Lev.24:16, 24), and finally, some more of God's instructions for buying slaves (Lev.25:45-46). You are correct, Mr. Enderle, wildest dreams indeed!

Mr. Enderle teaches us, “Those of us who have children know that you don’t have to teach them how to lie, cheat and steal but you do have to teach them not to.” It seems according to your unscientific theory, Mr. Enderle, children are born with the instincts (a genetically programed behavior which cannot be altered by learning) to lie, cheat and steal. If you are right, Mr. Enderle, then I pray you’d better get the instincts of our kids reinforced right away by reading the Bible !