CNN Belief Blog Contributor Damns GOP Taking Political Pledges As 'Unbiblical' and 'Unchristian'
The CNN Belief Blog's latest hit-job on Republicans involved Boston University religion scholar Stephen Prothero pronouncing that Republican politicians taking conservative pledges is "unbiblical" and "unchristian." Republicans have made news recently for taking pledges that are anti-tax, pro-life, and opposing same-sex marriage.
According to Prothero, the Bible argues that the "recent orgy of oath taking" by Republicans entails that they "have literally made a pact with the devil." Of course, what passes for "biblical interpretation" these days on the CNN Belief Blog is more like an affirmation of liberal creeds.
The blog has selectively interpreted Christian beliefs before. One recent piece argued that the Bible does not authoritatively condemn gay marriage, while another piece scrutinized Christian conservatives for being fans of Ayn Rand. On the flip-side, the blog's questioning of pro-abortion and pro-gay marriage Christian Democrats is somewhat lacking.
Prothero begins by preaching that "Republicans like to present themselves as the party of God, Jesus, and the Bible, but their recent orgy of oath taking is, in my view, both unchristian and unbiblical."
After referencing a piece by liberal Gary Wills denouncing the strict ideology of Grover Norquist, Prothero embarks on his most bizarre claims yet, concluding that Jesus' Sermon on the Mount denounces oath taking. He quotes the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 5 verses 33-37 to prove his point that the swearing of oaths is "unchristian."
Thus Republicans "have literally made a pact with the devil," Prothero argues in a sweeping indictment.
Prothero does also point the finger at American politicians throughout history who have taken oaths of office, but does so briefly and near the end of the piece. His argument is undoubtedly focused on Republicans in office today, and condescendingly hints that maybe Christian presidential hopefuls like Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) and Rick Santorum should read the Bible "a little more closely."
To read the entire piece, click here.
- Matt Hadro's blog
- Login to post comments
Comments
CNN - your 'God', Obama, swore to uphold the Constitution!
Submitted by Slyrr on Thu, 07/21/2011 - 6:20pm.
What would CNN - a gang of obnoxious atheists - know about the bible?
Jesus gave warnings that the rich should give of their substance to the poor. But he did NOT appoint worldly governments to be his nazi enforcers who would wrest people's substance from them at the point of a government bayonet. In all the Savior's teachings, free agency was central. Rich men who will not give willingly are condemned in the eternal scheme of things, not taxed by tyrants who steal their money under the lie that the fat, bloated king will give to the poor in their behalf.
What most people do NOT know, or choose to ignore, is that Jesus also had equally stark warnings to the poor. 'Wo unto you poor men, whose hearts are not broken, whose spirits are not contrite, and whose bellies are not satisfied, and whose hands are not stayed from laying hold upon other men’s goods, whose eyes are full of greediness, and who will not labor with your own hands!'
Wonder what the so-called experts on Jesus at CNN think of that?
Isn't CNN
Submitted by Tugboat Phil on Thu, 07/21/2011 - 6:05pm.
THE authority on what is or isn't Satanic?
So when I get stuck on jury
Submitted by danbo on Thu, 07/21/2011 - 6:44pm.
So when I get stuck on jury duty. And I swear to preform the duties as a jurior unbiased and following the law. I'm being unbiblical and unchristian? And am free to break that oath?
Maybe this is how certain public officials are able to swear to uphold and protect the constitution and do the opposite.
"You lie!" Rep. Joe Wilson R-(SC)
So when President Obama took
Submitted by tcm14 on Thu, 07/21/2011 - 6:57pm.
So when President Obama took his OATH of office does that mean he literally made a pact with the devil?
I think he did that long
Submitted by mattm on Thu, 07/21/2011 - 8:14pm.
I think he did that long before.
" anti-tax, pro-life, and
Submitted by rbosque on Thu, 07/21/2011 - 7:06pm.
" anti-tax, pro-life, and opposing same-sex marriage."
How is any of that anti-Christian?
Republicans made a pact with the Devil?
Submitted by SickofLibs on Thu, 07/21/2011 - 7:12pm.
So Boehner did cave. That ratbass.
Dictionary needed
Submitted by Khyris on Thu, 07/21/2011 - 7:31pm.
It's simply breathtaking the number of "journalists" who throw around the word "literally" without understanding what the word means.... but remember, do not question them, for they are your intellectual and moral superiors!
Oh, get a grip!
Submitted by motherbelt on Thu, 07/21/2011 - 8:15pm.
The didn't swear by God, or by Jerusalem, or even by their own heads. They just made a promise and put it into writing.
their recent orgy of oath taking -Prothero
"oath" and "pledge" are not synonymous.
a "pledge" is a token, sign, or earnest of something else IOW a symbol of their promise
Anyone who's bought a house knows "earnest money" means you really intend to buy the house.
An "oath" is a solemn usually formal calling upon God or a god to witness to the truth of what one says or to witness that one sincerely intends to do what one say
Signing a paper saying you will do such and such is not an oath, nor is it a vow.
By Prothero's flexible standard, signing a mortgage could be considered satanic.
Biblically ignorant CNN:
Submitted by mattm on Thu, 07/21/2011 - 8:25pm.
Biblically ignorant CNN: "Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath:" - Heb. 6:17
The admonition about oath taking is, which is directed toward Christians, not unbelievers, has to do with being trustworthy to the point of not needing to swear an oath to be considered truthful.
I'm not sure the reprobates at CNN, or their commiecrat political gods, have a clue about trustworthiness. I know I wouldn't believe them even if they swore a thousand oaths.
Bingo!
Submitted by Sockpuppet Politic on Thu, 07/21/2011 - 11:53pm.
Exactly right -- what does the scripture actually say?
"Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths:
But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God’s throne:
Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King.
Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black.
But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil."
If someone asks if you promise to not raise taxes while you are in office and you say "yes," you are perfectly within the bounds of this scripture. If you say "I swear on the grave of my mother that I will not raise taxes while I am in office," then you're breaking it.
Simple.
You know,
Submitted by Ashrak on Thu, 07/21/2011 - 9:43pm.
I noticed this theme in the comments section at my local paper today and thought to myself - "you know, that sounds like a talking point marching order".
Sure Enough.
Jesus' point was
Submitted by Quasi-socialist on Fri, 07/22/2011 - 12:28am.
"Let your yes be yes and your no be no." Also act in such a way that you don't have promise or vow to anything, but people understand that if you say you're going to do something, they know you're going to do it. To have that type of character.
We don't trust our politicians in the same way, so we need them to put their name on things.
It's funny that a liberal will resort to legalistic thinking if he must condemn--which they again think is wrong.
...
This is a failed attempt at Alinskyism: Make them live up to their own standards. Of course you can also claim that they are not living up to a distorted version of those standards for the same effect, if it flies.
the media
Submitted by jessieH on Fri, 07/22/2011 - 9:19am.
What's missing from the media is Pride. Integrity. Honesty. Ethics. Morals. A Soul.