Not With My Bible, You Don’t!

Actor Jon Voight has called President Obama “the Messiah” and a “false prophet.”

What a load of crap.

I get so sick of right-wing nut jobs calling Obama these names. Not just because they are so wrong, but because they are trying to use the Bible to justify their hatred of the President.

I realize the Republicans are still upset over losing the White House and Congress. They have no one to blame but themselves. (Okay, they can blame Bush and Cheney. And Limbaugh. And maybe Sarah Palin, but to be fair, John McCain is to blame for her.)

What I don’t get is why they seem to think that Obama is this side of the anti-Christ and try to use the Bible to spew their venom.

Obama has been in office for less than six months. He’s been working hard to undo the messes it took 8 years of Republican “leadership” to create. As he himself has said, it’s not going to be easy and it’s not going to be fixed overnight, but we have to start somewhere. He’s also said that if someone else has better ideas to bring to the table, he’s willing to listen.

So far, all I’ve heard from these blowhard “conservatives” is a load of hot air – and a lot of crap.

Still, with their disappointments and bitterness, I keep wondering why they’re using the Bible as their particular whipping board.

Then it hit me. It’s part of their history.

They used the Bible to justify slavery and the systematic destruction of non-European people in this country.

They used the Bible to justify lynchings and murders in the South.

They used the Bible to create the KKK and sustain segregation.

They use the Bible to create fear and divide our nation and our world.

They use the Bible to create an “us” vs. “them” mentality, vilifying other religions as “intolerant” without seeing the irony of their own intolerance.

Enough.

I’m calling out Jon Voight, Rush Limbaugh, Newt Gingrich, Sarah Palin and all their ilk, right here, right now.

I don’t care what you think of Obama and the Democrats and gay marriage and abortion or any other issue. Use whatever words you choose: inexperienced, bull-headed, dumb, stupid, ignorant, intolerant, misguided – take your pick. I’ll put my Flip Dictionary up against your limited thesaurus any day of the week and twice on Sunday.

But you will no longer use my BIBLE – GOD’S HOLY WORD – as a way to denigrate my President or my nation. (Note to Sarah Palin: look it up, sweetie.)

Those of us who know who THE MESSIAH is know that Obama ain’t it. Nor is he a false prophet. According to the Bible, false prophets were those who led the people from God and his Word. Obama has never done that and in fact, has encouraged us to turn to our faith during this time of crisis.

So go on, spew your venom all you want. You just make yourselves look pettier and smaller than you already are.

Just leave my Bible out of it.

Sticks and Stones

“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names (words) will never hurt me.”

It’s the biggest lie ever.

Words hurt. Words wound. Words scar. Words kill. Don’t believe me?

Nigger.

Kike.

Spic.

Wop.

Coon.

Cracker.

I originally posted this on my old blog last year after the public humiliation of Isaiah Washington from “Grey’s Anatomy.”  He wasn’t the only one whose poor choice of words have cost him; think Michael Richards, Simon Cowell, Mel Gibson, Don Imus and various operatives for Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama.

As a writer, I am more cognizant than ever of the power of words, both written and spoken. Every word that I put into my manuscript is weighed carefully. But I am also more thoughtful of the words that come out of my mouth. Once you say something, no matter how much you apologize, you can’t take it back. I remember back in high school, there was a girl in my English class named Martha. She was smart and every day she had something to say. One day, our teacher, Dr. Dagny D. Bloland, was conducting her class. As usual, Martha raised her hand and said, “I have something to say.” Before I knew it, I said, “What, again?” I got laughs, but Dr. Bloland whirled on me so fast and made me apologize. I did, but after class, Dr. Bloland made me stay behind. She was all of 4′ 3″ (if that) and I was at least 5′ 6″. But she looked up at me and spoke. I don’t remember what she said, but I will never forget the look of disappointment she had on her face: how could I say something to cut down another student? I never did it again.

As ugly as the words above are, what about other words that we say to others and to ourselves?

Bitch.

Faggot.

Ugly.

Stupid.

Ignorant.

Lazy.

Fat.

No good.

Worthless.

These are words that are in our lexicon and flow as easily as “God bless you” or “Excuse me” or “Have a nice day.” And they are as hurtful and damaging as any racial epithet that may be hurled your way.

It’s my desire as a writer to use my words to uplift people. It’s my desire as a child of God to use words to encourage and to lead others to Christ. It’s my hope as a human being that we all learn to use words to show love.

In Him,
Donna