I have never seen the Bible promote hating one's Father and Mother; thinking, in a general sense, that massacring the innocent is okay, even if there are exceptions; selling one's daughter into sexual bondage; enslaving according to skin color, although that interpretation could be drawn. It is true that the Bible does not reflect the equality of women, and that it does reflect a desire to worship God in appropriate surroundings. It is also true that religious societies have often censored those who were deemed dangerous. On the other hand, relative to contemporary cultures, the Bible reflects an exalted view of women. For example, Deborah is portrayed as leading the Children of Israel in battle; Esther is responsible for saving her people; and even the Queen of Sheba is portrayed as the greatest monarch of her time. As for worshipping God, well, think of all of the other things that we erect, such as sports stadia and office buildings and monuments to heroes. Surely, those who worship God can build as they see fit.
On the matter of censorship, freedom of speech and publication is a relatively new idea. It is not self- evident that words can do no harm to society, and it took a great deal of courage to make it central to our society...... |
