How to Weaponize the Bible

Anyone familiar with American politics and the empty rhetoric used to promote divisive views is never much surprised when politicians appeals to the Bible to support their own social agendas. Depending on who you listen to, the bible is both pro life and pro choice, pro and anti immigrant, pro and anti homosexuality…the list goes on. On today’s episode, we explore how people use and, oh so frequently misuse, ancient texts of Scripture to promote their agenda, and consider the question of whether it might help to read the Bible before claiming to know what it says.

Megan asks Bart:

- What examples do we have from early Christianity of people using scripture to try and win arguments?

- What kinds of early social issues was the bible weaponized for?

- Pre-Christianity, were other religious texts used in a similar manner?

- We’ve talked before about modern Christians using scripture to argue for or against things that are completely unrelated to what the passage actually says. Just to refresh our collective memories, could you give us an example of this? (abortion, homosexuality, etc)

- Is this selective quoting something that we see also in early Christianity?

- Do non-canonical texts ever get brought into arguments, or are they typically dismissed out of hand as unauthoritative?

- What other similarities or differences do you see between how early and modern Christians use scripture?

- Do people believe you when you tell them that the Bible actually doesn’t say what they think it does?

- What would be some more severe or problematic examples of this be?

- Do you have examples of people cherry-picking biblical evidence?

- Examples of how different translations change arguments?

[garethmckee]

Great hair and glasses, as always. And Megan looks great too, laugh😂

[pamelacollins]

Bart has become one of my hero’s for doing this channel and so many other interviews, books, classes etc to educate the public. I wish I could have learned the truth about the Bible, such as how and why the different book were written. What a difference it would have made in my life!!
Also, I am so tired of people using the Bible to condemn gays. This often does deep psychological damage. And the fundamentalists trying to take over the government terrify and enrage me. Too many people either don’t understand what they are trying to do, or just don’t care. I read a book 30 years ago warning about what is happening now - fundamentalists running for political offices and positions controlling education, courts etc. Now they are aiming at the national government with the goal of turning the US into a theocracy. God help us if they succeed.

[arthurbriand]

If you buy a large edition, it can also be used as a blunt bludgeon weapon.

[trilithon]

I always like the short catch-up they do at the beginning. Humanizes the event. 🎉

[thorpeaaron]

No one should use the Bible in modern day politics.

[mhm]

Have you ever done a lecture/discussion about the violence (death, destruction) done in Jesus' name? And how the modern Church deals with its own history?

[SergeantSkeptic]

Love how Megan deals with the trespassing cat. She did not miss a beat.

[MTerrance]

Clem and Buck were having an argument about the Bible. After this continued for some time Clem had enough:
"Buck, you don't know the Bible worth a lick! In fact, I will bet you $20 that you don't know 5 of the 10 commandments."
Buck was pissed. "Oh yeah! You are on!"
Clem: "Okay smartass! Do it! Name just 5 of the 10 commandments!"
Buck: "Don't steal. Don't kill. Go to church!"
He paused and concluded with: "Don't cheat at cards and don't double-park!"
Clem: "Dammit. I didn't think you could do it. Here's my $20!"

[nolongerthere]

Trivial detail: What Franklin published was Poor Richard's Almanac; Little Richard's Almanac would probably have been all about the writing of Tutti Frutti. Seriously, great podcast!

[stevebaylot]

Dr. Ehrman, you need to come to Mississippi. Weaponizing the Bible is an art form down here. 😆🤣 Thanks always for a great podcast.

[richardphillips]

I have always thought that the most powerful weapon on Earth isn't a nuclear weapon, it's religion!

[aaronmccright]

Not gonna lie, I'd definitely buy a copy of Little Richard's Almanac!! Good Golly, Miss Molly!

[anthonycraig]

I have alway been way more impressed when someone quotes Shakespeare, the bible I tend to ignore.

[angelikaskoroszyn]

Charismatic preachers often take one or two verses out of the Biblie and build a whole sermon out of it. Without the context they are able to just make them say whatever they want. An angel comforts someone saying "don't be afraid" => anxiety is sin

It's fascinating but also scary. It's not just an alternative interpretation of the text - it's a completly made up meaning put in God's mouth. If I was a Christian I would be terrified of doing things like this. Nowadays I'm just scared about what kind of new "meanings" preachers can find in two lines of text

[dbarker]

Wonder if Bart's dad quoted other bits from Little Richard. Good golly, Miss Molly.

[jessicajordan]

My only complaint: the episodes aren’t long enough! I’m always disappointed when they end. I need at least 3 hours of Bart and Megan!!!

[dirkcampbell]

Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?" Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy times seven (Matthew 18:21-35). 490 times - seems pretty unconditional to me.

[stephenurbanek]

As a cradle Catholic I often get the attacks by some based upon the conflict between religious art and idolatry.
I often refer to Colossians 3:5.
Also they attack our veneration of Mary.

[JamesRichardWiley]

How to weaponize the Bible:
1. Introduce a collection of Hebrew writing called "The Holy Bible" to a child.
2.Tell the child The Holy Bible is the words of an all powerful male "God" who made you, loves you, and will reward you if you love and obey Him in return,
but will send you to a place of eternal torture if you don't.
3. Create a community that constantly reinforces the god stories and choose trigger words that create a programmed response.
4. Use the generic word "God" in debates with non believers instead of the Jewish word "Yahweh" to avoid a mix up between the Christian god "Jesus" who is love and the Hebrew god Yahweh, who is clearly a monster.

[swensandor]

That cat is the STAR!!! But Bart did not react in the slightest way. I would laugh out loud.