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I could talk a bit about the ahistorical or perhaps more accurate "selective historical" view that Pat Robertson and Falwell are putting forth, that somehow God has lifted his protection from American soil, to punish [select your hated group of choice]. In particular, they are talking about how this is the greatest American disaster, how America has never been attacked directly since the War of 1812, and other such well, bullshit.

One of the things I find surprising about American history is this odd eliding of the Civil War. THAT is easily the most profound disaster in US history, that helped to shape and form the American psyche, and not only that, it is not centuries distant, it almost reaches into modern time, it's only about 150 years in the past. Millions of Americans fighting millions of OTHER AMERICANS, killing and dying.

So if you want to talk about a divinely protected society, maybe you want to mention that in your assessment.

I only have one other Bible story that I find useful in these times, the story of Jesus and the adulterous woman.
Adultery is not a minor sin, it is in the "Big Ten", along with killing. And yet...

John.8

[1] Jesus went unto the mount of Olives.
[2] And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them.
[3] And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst,
[4] They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.
[5] Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?
[6] This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.
[7] So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.
[8] And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.
[9] And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.
[10] When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?
[11] She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.
[12] Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

When faced with sin then, Jesus does not condemn, he does not stone an adulteress, he says simply, "Go, and sin no more." posted by Richard at 07:07 / permalink (post) | permalink (numeric)