His Bible I don’t want - March 30, 2024

His bible I don’t want. 

I don’t need my bible draped in images of a tri-colored flag

Bound with a popular song of nationalistic meaning

Announced with a directive that I need to pray more

By someone who likely prays very little 

Or attends worship sparingly or only for show. 

His bible I don’t want

When it comes with an implicit claim

that only one version of the Bible in translation is authentic. 

The best way, I believe, to understand the text

Is by studying it in the original 

And/or

with many translations in front of you

Discussed among people seeking understanding

From many backgrounds and levels of knowledge. 

His bible I don’t want

When its dissemination seems to say 

That only one faith is legitimate 

And others might not be.  

I believe in separation 

And I oppose a move by someone running for high office

Seemingly establishing one religion above others 

(or above other choices for personal spirituality). 

Ask the first president what he felt about people of all faiths

Or no faith

Living in a country together. 

He declared that 

All that was asked of its inhabitants

Was to be good and decent citizens. (That was 234 years ago). 

His bible I don’t want.  

Others who do…that’s on you. 

But if you get his bible,

Read Leviticus 19, verses 18, 33 and 34. 

Before you read anything else.  

And let their message stay with you and guide you

Whenever you are told that you should hate or avenge 

or seek the demise of 

A neighbor or a stranger, 

Because those verses say QUITE the OPPOSITE. 

And, by the way,

Those verses

Are in my bible, too.