Televangelist and believer in demons Marion "Pat" Robertson at the inauguration of his
former student Bob McDonnell as Governor of Virginia. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
Bob McDonnell, Virginia's new governor and graduate of televangelist Pat, the Haitians made a deal with the Devil, Robertson's Regent University, said, "For a ruler to be just and to be fair and to have the wisdom needed in order to do right for the people, one must constantly refer to the Word of God." As a devout Pat Robertson type of Christian, McDonnell's "word of God" is the Bible.
By stating that rulers "must constantly refer to the Word of God", McDonnell is not doing what he pretends to be doing: representing all the people of Virginia.
There are millions of Virginians who do not believe the Bible is the "word of God". How will they feel knowing that McDonnell is going to refer to the Bible as a guide for how he should "rule" them???
People who would fear this statement from the new governor the most are those who've actually taken the time to objectively read and to study the Bible. They would know, for example, that the Bible does not even speak out against slavery! What kind of guide is this for McDonnell to use? Does this mean McDonnell will try to reinstate slavery in Virginia since the Bible not only does not openly oppose slavery, but it actually instructs slaves to fear their masters by saying, "Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;", at Ephesians 6:5.
Virginia's new governor doesn't appear to know American history very well. He stated that George Washington said "it's impossible to govern without God and the Bible." A search of George Washington's papers that are on-line through the University of Virginia does not bear this out. In fact, the definitive book on George Washington's religious beliefs, George Washington and Religion, by Paul F. Boller, Jr., states on page 43, "If Washington 'diligently searched the Holy Volume,' as has been asserted, he seems to have utilized his findings largely for purposes of whimsy."
Bob McDonnell, in his same speech in which he misquoted George Washington, talked about being impressed with Washington's Christianity when he saw the painting of George Washington on his knees praying. This painting is purported to be of General Washington praying at Valley Forge. On pages seven through 10 of George Washington and Religion, the origins of the story of Washington on his knees praying to the Bible god is traced back to the imagination of a Christian clergyman named Mason Locke Weems. Like many infected with "revealed" religions, Weems had an out of control imagination. It appears McDonnell is about as objective with stories about George Washington as he is about Bible stories about God.
McDonnell also used Bible quotes in his speech at the prayer breakfast to promote wisdom. It is true, the Bible seems to promote wisdom in some places. However, like most things in all the "revealed" religions, it is based on fear. Psalms 111:10 says, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever." Contrast this with the teachings of the ancient Greeks who taught the beginning of wisdom is wonder!
Perhaps McDonnell should follow the example of Virginia's second governor, Thomas Jefferson, as well as of countless other Founders such as George Washington and others who wanted to model the new American Republic, not after the ancient Hebrews and Christians, but after the ancient Greeks and Romans whose intellect and study brought society so much progress!
Comments
What a ridiculous hit piece.
Sir,
Apparent to me, you know nothing about the Bible. You make statements as if they are fact and have no support. I.e., you state, as a matter of opinion there are millions of Virginians who do not believe the Bible is the word of God. Well, then those people would not be Christians. So, what does it matter?
Sarah Palin, in the tradition of the atheists' beloved Thomas Jefferson also said more Christians are what is needed in government. Jefferson desired Christians in Government because of Character and unanimous coopoeration.
Palin and McDonnell will have difficulty finding a true Christian politician these days. Even if they could hand pick the Government, they would not receive the cooperation Jefferson admired. Too many nominative Christians exist, in the tradition deist, agnostics, atheists and pagan minded people in general who do not have nearly enough unerstanding to affirm their own beliefs, let alone someone else's. You stand as an example.
Bob McDonnell, Pat Robertson and Rush Limbaugh are all idiots. as a Christian I know I should not judge...but I just can't help it.
When will these people get it in their heads that the Founding Fathers were not the same as the Pilgrim Fathers? They should try reading the text of the Treaty of Tripoli and be reminded of the line that specifically states that the United States were NOT founded on the Christian religion! Bible-thumping bigots Washington, Jefferson et al were NOT. They were men of the Enlightenment ... and considerably more enlightened in some respects than a fair few circulating today.
Jim-Richmond Evangelical Examiner says:
"those people would not be Christians. So, what does it matter?"
Obviously, Jim, it "matters" because the Governor is supposed to represent *all* the citizens of the state he governs, not just those who happen to share his religious beliefs. Are you trying to say that only the opinions, feelings, and welfare of Christians "matter?"
"I say: Love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way you will be acting as true sons of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust too. If you love only those who love you, what good is that? Even scoundrels do that much. If you are friendly only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even the heathen do that. But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect. (TLB, Matthew 5:43-48)"
Sound familiar? Go thou and do likewise. And get a grip!
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