Do you believe in this book?

[Beanieboy]

I watched the Republican Debates that were televised on TV and YouTube. Voters recorded questions, and they were answered by the candidates.

One said, "I have ONE question! Do you believe in this book? Specifically, THIS book (holds up the bible)? It will explain a lot about who you are."

Some of the candidates said, "Yes, of course." Giuliani at least said, "I believe in some parts as literal, and some parts as metaphor."

What bothers me about the question is: what does it tell you about the person? George Bush claims to be Christian, and believe in the book, but you wouldn't know it by his actions. He doesn't focus on helping the poor or the sick. He has been caught in so many lies that he has lost credibility. I see nothing Christ-like in his leadership. He leads on fear. He's dishonest with his constituents. He violates privacy law. It's almost like Animal Farm.

Even Fred Phelps claims to believe in the bible, just a warped twisted version of it.

If someone does not believe in the bible, what would it say about the person? It doesn't mean that they are immoral. It doesn't mean that they don't follow the bible (often, nonChristians out "christian" the Christian in the actions.)

I think that if someone simply states that they believe in the bible, especially a politician, they aren't necessarily following God. I also question holding up the bible as a god itself, and worshiping the bible over God.

Finally, I wonder what the meaning of the question was. Was the man asking that the bible be used in all laws, such as abortion and gay marriage? (If so, we might as well scrap freedom of speech, which violates the First Commandment.)

What do you think of the question, and what is your opinion of someone who says they do or don't believe in the book?

 

[Mling]

"Of course. there it is, in your hand. I would have to be blind or insane not to believe in it."

 

[Catholicon]

There's as much of a difference between the Bible and Jesus, as there is the difference between believing in the Bible and following the teachings of Jesus.

Remind me, which of those two is supposed to be the basis of Christianity? The Bible or Jesus?

 

[flicka]

I don't know what "believe in this book" is supposed to mean. Believe it literally? Believe it exists? It was a set-up question created to force a "yes" from everyone to keep them from looking bad. I would have said "no" just to annoy the guy, but then I'm not running for office

 

[FaithLikeARock]

"Of course. there it is, in your hand. I would have to be blind or insane not to believe in it."

Or a philosophy major.

 

[ArchaicTruth]

Politicians will say anything to get what they want

 

[sbvera13]

It's worse then that, he held up the book specifically to show that it was a KJV.

Wasn't it fun the way nobody ever said "No, I don't believe it absolutely" and kinda gradually wormed their way around to "it has allegorical parts." Nice, direct, honest politicians. Except Romney. He swore by it. Wonder if anyone has shown him the stoning-your-own-kids part?

 

[Beanieboy]

Oh, is that what he meant? the "especially THIS book (KJV)?"

If one readeth old english, is it, yea, more accurate? If English only has one word for love, and Greek has 10, does putting it in old english somehow make it closer in translation?

btw, when is the democratic debate? (I've been living in Canada)

 

[Maren]

Oh, is that what he meant? the "especially THIS book (KJV)?"

If one readeth old english, is it, yea, more accurate? If English only has one word for love, and Greek has 10, does putting it in old english somehow make it closer in translation?

btw, when is the democratic debate? (I've been living in Canada)

The Democratic YouTube debate was back in July.

 

[Snowbunny]

it sounds like religious grandstanding... what the question was getting at is impossible to pose in just one interrogatory over the course of 30 seconds, and then we don't even know if the answers would be genuine...

 

[Vene]

I don't know what "believe in this book" is supposed to mean. Believe it literally? Believe it exists? It was a set-up question created to force a "yes" from everyone to keep them from looking bad. I would have said "no" just to annoy the guy, but then I'm not running for office

You know as well as any of us that an open atheist will not win an election. I doubt that a non-Christian has a chance either.

 

[JGG]

You know as well as any of us that an open atheist will not win an election. I doubt that a non-Christian has a chance either.

Well seeing how hard Romney has to work just to be Mormon without actually saying the word "Mormon" in a public place, it seems that you have to be the right kind of Christian.

 

[StarCannon]

Politicians and religion goe hand in hand in the means to control humanity.

 

[Apollo Celestio]

It's still advantageous for politicians to cling to religion? How long will that last? We all fall short, but I guess you can "know them by their fruit". :/

 

[BlueAfgani]

It tells us a lot more about the stupidity of the guy asking the question than how any of the candidates answered.

 

[jayem]

I doubt that a non-Christian has a chance either.

Well, Joe Lieberman actually got more votes for VP than Dick Cheney.

 

[ebia]

I watched the Republican Debates that were televised on TV and YouTube. Voters recorded questions, and they were answered by the candidates.

One said, "I have ONE question! Do you believe in this book? Specifically, THIS book (holds up the bible)? It will explain a lot about who you are."

Some of the candidates said, "Yes, of course." Giuliani at least said, "I believe in some parts as literal, and some parts as metaphor."

What bothers me about the question is: what does it tell you about the person? George Bush claims to be Christian, and believe in the book, but you wouldn't know it by his actions. He doesn't focus on helping the poor or the sick. He has been caught in so many lies that he has lost credibility. I see nothing Christ-like in his leadership. He leads on fear. He's dishonest with his constituents. He violates privacy law. It's almost like Animal Farm.

Even Fred Phelps claims to believe in the bible, just a warped twisted version of it.

If someone does not believe in the bible, what would it say about the person? It doesn't mean that they are immoral. It doesn't mean that they don't follow the bible (often, nonChristians out "christian" the Christian in the actions.)

I think that if someone simply states that they believe in the bible, especially a politician, they aren't necessarily following God. I also question holding up the bible as a god itself, and worshiping the bible over God.

Finally, I wonder what the meaning of the question was. Was the man asking that the bible be used in all laws, such as abortion and gay marriage? (If so, we might as well scrap freedom of speech, which violates the First Commandment.)

What do you think of the question, and what is your opinion of someone who says they do or don't believe in the book?

I think I would be inclined to take hold of the book, give it a couple of taps, and say "yep - it's definitely a real book".

But that's probably political suicide in any place where the question is likely to be asked.

 

[Beanieboy]

I don't think any politician should be pressured into believing in Christianity in order to lead the country. There are many presidents who ended speeches with "God bless America" that probably wouldn't know God if he sat next to them at a $1000/plate dinner.

It seems even worse to claim that you are Christian, but then think that Christianity is only for Sunday morning, and live and act separate from that the rest of the time.

 

[Verv]

One thing that I need to point out: if Pres. Bush to were to legislate his Christian morality he would be condemned by non-Christians for violating the first amendment. But now that he doesn't, somehow he is also being condemned as a hypocrite.

This is truly being caught between a rock and a hard place.

So what do you want out of the politicians, really?

 

[Freodin]

One thing that I need to point out: if Pres. Bush to were to legislate his Christian morality he would be condemned by non-Christians for violating the first amendment. But now that he doesn't, somehow he is also being condemned as a hypocrite.

This is truly being caught between a rock and a hard place.

So what do you want out of the politicians, really?

There is a difference between a person / president stating: "This is what you all are required to believe." and "This is what I believe."

He might be prevented from legislating Christian morality, but no amendment I have ever heard of prevents him from acting on Christian morality.