Suggestion for everyone, stop referencing the Bible to shore up arguments in support...

[Humanist_Activist]

or opposition of contemporary issues.

The issue is twofold, first, its decidedly off-topic, and distracts from the argument, from then on the discussion will now involve how to interpret certain versus, which are valid or not depending on some arbitrary value, which are metaphorical or literal, etc. In other words, you stop talking about the contemporary issue in question.

The second issue is because the Bible is like a Rorschach test. If you don't know what that is, its the inkblot test, which, given its limited utility, is only really good for determining your perception, personality, etc. based on some analysis. You see one inkblot and think its a butterfly, I see the same one and see boobs, and guess what? We are both right, because its a study in expectations, perceptions and personality. The Bible is the same way, largely internally inconsistent, you can read literally every side of every issue on the planet within its pages.

You are free to think that your interpretation of the Bible is the best or most correct one, but good luck in proving it.

[annabanana]

1. can we do it tongue in cheek?

Or ironically? Or with mild amusement?

seems like a pretty broad request

[Humanist_Activist]

3. Sure, because that's not serious business...

like how its quoted or referenced in most cases.

[darkstar3]

2. I remember posting something similar years ago on another board RE: The Founding Fathers.

Well put.

[cbayer]

4. I need to think about this, but my initial reaction is wholly supportive.

If we all agree to neither use it as a weapon nor a defense, we could save ourselves a lot of totally useless argument.

Could we still talk about the stories, though? Parables can be very useful at times and don't necessarily have to have any strict religious significance.

[Humanist_Activist]

5. I'm more talking saying things like "The Bible supports capitalism"

or "Jesus supports socialism(according to the Bible)". Those types of arguments, talking about the stories as literature or something more abstract isn't a problem, because generally the subject is the Bible. This includes historical context, mythology, oral histories, etc.

[cbayer]

6. Ah, much more narrow and easier applied. Makes sense to me.

[Humanist_Activist]

8. That's part of the reason I applied it to "contemporary issues"...

probably should have added another adjective or two, like economic, ethical, moral and/or political.

[Renew Deal]

7. Hear counsel, receive instruction, and accept correction, that you may be wise in the time to come.

Proverbs 19:20

[Permanut]

9. Good one, Renew.

Wholeheartedly agree with the OP. We are not governed by the Bible or any other source but the Constitution.

[Heywood J]

10. But it's fun!

For she doted upon their paramours, whose flesh is as the flesh of asses, and whose issue is like the issue of horses.

My beloved put in his hand by the hole of the door, and my bowels were moved for him.