Scripture Twisting – Our new word for the day…hooboy!
So far we have learned about the following words: astroturfing; dead agenting; steeplejacking; Political Dominionist; mega church;
Today – we must learn about scripture twisting…and a finer example of this term would be hard to find, than this outrageous video sent to me by a reader of this blog. (Please feel free to send me information that you come across that you find pertinent).
It is so hard to remain mature and professional some days in the process of reviewing and researching this stuff! It almost hurts to use the necessary restraint to maintain my credibility…but you get where I would like to go with this I am sure!
At a time where there are literally millions of people who are fixated on denouncing the birth certificate of President Obama, and who think that “teabagging” is a proud label (rolling of eyes) – comes this very interesting ‘interpretation’ of some cherry-picked versus from the Bible.
It truly exhibits all the same level of intelligence and conspiracy-minded trogladites (aka cave-dweller, head-in-the sand moron) cohesiveness that we saw coagulating at the Sarah Palin rallies and stump speeches across the “Bible Belt” of America.
Books have been written bout this method of manipulating the words of the Bible that have been translated and interpreted in many,
many ways…and often twisted to serve the purpose of the religious organization. One of the writers on scripture twisting is Dr. James Sire, Ph.D, a professor of English, Theology and Philosophy at the University of Missouri. The following are a list of salient points that he identifies and includes in his book:
1. INACCURATE QUOTATION: A biblical text is referred to but is either not quoted in the way the text appears in any standard translation or is wrongly attributed.
2. TWISTED TRANSLATION: The biblical text is re-translated, not in accordance with sound Greek scholarship, to fit a preconceived teaching of a cult.
3. BIBLICAL HOOK: A text of Scripture is quoted primarily as a device to grasp the attention of readers or listeners and then followed by a teaching which is so non-biblical that it would appear far more dubious to most people had it not been preceded by a reference to Scripture.
4. IGNORING THE IMMEDIATE CONTEXT: A text of Scripture is quoted but removed from the surrounding verses which form the immediate framework for its meaning.
5. COLLAPSING CONTEXTS: Two or more verses which have little or nothing to do with each other are put together as if one were a commentary of the other(s).
6. OVERSPECIFICATION: A more detailed or specific conclusion than is legitimate is drawn from a biblical text.
7. WORD PLAY: A word or phrase from a biblical translation is examined and interpreted as if the revelation had been given in that language.
8. THE FIGURATIVE FALLACY: Either (1) mistaking literal language for figurative language or (2)mistaking figurative language for literal language.
9. SPECULATIVE READINGS OF PREDICTIVE PROPHESY: A predictive prophesy is too readily explained by the occurance of specific events, despite the fact that equally committed biblical scholars consider the interpretation highly dubious
10. SAYING BUT NOT CITING: A writer says that the Bible says such and such but does not cite the specific text (which often indicates that there may be no such text at all).
11. SELECTIVE CITING: To substantiate a given argument, only a limited number of text is quoted: the total teaching of Scripture on that subject would lead to a conclusion different from that of the writer.
12. INADEQUATE EVIDENCE: A hasty generalization is drawn from too little evidence.
13. CONFUSED DEFINITION: A biblical term is misunderstood in such a way that an essential biblical doctrine is distorted or rejected.
14. IGNORING ALTERNATIVE EXPLANATIONS: A specific interpretation given to a biblical text or set of text which could well be, and often have been, interpreted in quite a different fashion, but these alternatives are not considered.
15. THE OBVIOUS FALLACY: Words like OBVIOUSLY, UNDOUBTEDLY, CERTAINLY, ALL REASONABLE PEOPLE HOLD THAT and so forth are substituted for logical reasons.
17. ESOTERIC INTERPRETATION: Under the assumption that the Bible contains hidden, esoteric, meaning which is open only to those who are initiated into its secrets, the interpreter declares the significance of biblical passages without giving much, if any, explanation for his or her interpretation.
NOTE:
This material comes from the appendix of James Sire’s Scripture Twisting Methods of the Cults, and summarizes his indepth treatment of each of these points.
Another book about this practice brings up yet another term for another blog and that is “shephearding”. But for today’s topic here is a review on Mary Alice Chrnalogar’s book “Twisted Scriptures: A Path from Abusive Churches”-
Leaders of many religious groups (even including several mainstream churches) are twisting the Scriptures to subtly coerce cooperation from their members. In the process, personalities are changed and lives ruined. Mary Alice Chrnalogar is a deprogrammer with an international reputation. Chrnalogar reveals how classic mind control techniques are used to systematically seduce followers into total obedience. Twisted Scriptures: A Path To Freedom From Abusive Churches shows readers how to tell when churches are suppressing freedom of speech, intimidating followers, and distorting the Bible. Twisted Scriptures is invaluable as a self-help guide and as a tool for families and friends to free loved ones from destructive groups. – Midwest Book Review
This is a very serious practice. And given that the majority of these congregations are brainwashed – they have unbelievable impact! And that scares the hell out of me! Look at this new term that has gained traction – “birthers”…give me a break!
Now – not only do we have the evangelical Dominionists getting riled over this, but the ignorant racist, bigoted population who are out there that could care less about God unless it is all together in one phrase “God and country” and has a gun – and are already paranoid that Obama is going to lead the charge to break down their doors and take their weapons away!
For God’s sakes people! Is it something in the water??? How in the hell did we get so gullible and downright stupid?! 
This picture of all the naked humans bowing who look like sheep, will be one that I am going to use every time I need to emphasize how absolutely ludicrous this has all become! I have to stop writing…if I keep going I am going to do permanent damage to myself from the head-shaking and eye-rolling!
Later my friends…
Tags: Christian, evangelical, God, political dominionists, religious right, republicans, scripture twisting
August 4th, 2009 at 10:52 pm
Excellent "get"! I do not know of another type of Rabbi either…kinda shows the level of professional "interpretation" of the video-maker….does it not? Jeepers, creepers indeed!
August 4th, 2009 at 11:03 pm
We do report some of these to the proper sources with regard to domestic terrorism and concern for the President's safety. It truly is dangerous and the producers of this crap know it full well. They can just sit back and watch the crazies spin – much like Bill O'Reilly did when Dr. Tiller was murdered.
August 5th, 2009 at 2:01 am
Not a damn thing! But they are rarely interested in reality…
August 5th, 2009 at 4:26 am
They really are like a cult. And the members don't seem to realize it. It's very frightening to think they could take control of our country. These people are so extreme!!!! I don't know any other words for it! I grew up thinking America was for everyone, every religion, every color etc. How can they think being a Christian nation is welcoming! If you as a Christian feel uncomfortable, imagine how those of us of other faiths feel. By the way I read that someone from the McCain campaign is seeking a book deal and of course much of it is about Palin. One thing that came out is that Palin believes "she is the chosen one." even though I already suspected this, it is another thing to hear that she actually told people this. This is on the Alaska report -I am just repeating it.
August 5th, 2009 at 8:54 am
So Palin thinks she's the messiah, and OBAMA'S the antichrist? Good grief. I feel like writing a rational response, but why bother?
(Not that SP is Ms. 666 either. Personally, I'm inclined to believe that the Beast was referring to ancient Rome. Anyway, she's not smart enough to be the antichrist
)
In all seriousness, this is just embarrassing to the Christian religion. You can't evangelize people that are laughing at you.
August 5th, 2009 at 4:54 pm
And it isn't even that it is Palin who thinks herself so…it is all those around her and that follow her with religious zealousness that make it hard to laugh at her no matter how ridiculous the rest of us who are sane view it. But I definitely know whereof you speak…this all makes me more than a bit crazy some days! We must still watch her, but I am grateful for the reprieve right now. I know she is not gone, but at least she is quiet for a change because unfortunately, there are so many more that just don't get as much press as Palin that we are tracking.
It IS embarrassing for the Christian religion, and no matter each individuals personal belief, in the eyes of the world – that means embarrassment to the nation.
August 6th, 2009 at 9:11 pm