When normal, rational, sane people say something was taken out of context, they mean that a quote has been doctored to make it appear that the author is saying the opposite of what he’s really saying. Darwin’s quote about the eye is one common example.
But when certain Christians say a Bible verse is taken out of context, what they actually mean is that they can find another verse that says exactly the opposite, so that the first verse can be safely ignored, along with the blatant contradiction.
So, if there’s a verse (or several) where Jesus says you shouldn’t judge people, but you like judging people, just look for “context” in other verses that offer contradictory advice. Likewise if you’re in the top 8 percent of the world’s wealthy and you’re nervous about that whole camel-needle thing.
P.S. Tomorrow, or any time this Memorial Day weekend, you might want to take some time to remember and thank atheists in foxholes.
(pic — full-size version here — via Dave Barnhart)
Posted by vininger (Erin) on May 31, 2010 at 2:33 pm
Ah…cafeteria Christianity at its finest. One of my biggest pet peeves.
P.S. I love the cartoon; I was intrigued enough to go check out Dave Barnhart’s site. I like what he has to say…definitely a religious person I think I could get along with (my late grandfather was also a UM pastor, and was likewise a pretty cool guy)! People like him are a good reminder that when it comes to Christians and atheists, it doesn’t have to be an “us vs. them” kind of deal. 🙂