A simple breakdown of the word is easy: no error. But it is oh so much more than that in application, meaning, intention and possibilities for the future. The type of future is very much up for grabs now. If we are not careful, we will find ourselves in a true mess - at least for some, while others bask in a return to the religious wars of centuries ago. Perhaps not even, as we continue to fight, to pit, religion against religion, use "armed' religions, politicized beyond any similarity to the original. Once again, what have we wrought?
It seems simple: a Power, by whatever name called, defined and built the parameters of our physical world, along with various religious strictures and rules for society, its moral behavior and obligations. (Note: view Moonfall!) Over the centuries, people have taken these same religions, created new ones better suited to their self-perceived needs, and gone to extremes too often, bloodshed and mayhem the results. This is most manifestly NOT religion in its best clothing and public appearance.
Now we tackle inerrancy and its implications and complications for society, all societies upon the face of earth. It is a doctrine that neither contains nor advocates for the best of humanity, tramples truth, rewards those with a penchant for power, and offers little hope for a positive future. Sadly, this policy, originating in religion, has now been adopted by, and adapted to, political 'leaders', much to our detriment. The rest of us might as well howl to the uncaring moon.
"Biblical inerrancy is the belief that the Bible "is without error or fault in all its teaching"; or, at least, that "Scripture in the original manuscripts does not affirm anything that is contrary to fact". Some equate inerrancy with biblical infallibility;"
And there ya' go. And here we are. Bigots, backwards looking people, nonthinkers, power grabbers, twisted souls who find refuge in religion, all cling tight to that definition. It is used to justify war against gender issues, orientations, women, right to choose, and an education which does not please nor fall within their very strict boundaries, censorship galore. It is a definition that allows for religious wars and brother! have we had those aplenty in our history, even as they continue, replete with the required quantities of carnage and mayhem in its wake.
The Catholic Church and the Pope. The use of it by some Evangelicals to justify much of their benighted social policies. The growth of the power of religious figures in the Jewish and Moslem worlds. The growing religious fervor in a very dark and confusing world. Someone, somewhere, must know it all. People seek that reassuring personality, finding it, too often, in the wrong person.
Take a look around. People are seeking that assuredness, those boundaries they crave. From the very same people they should be fleeing. Political figures. Damaged religious figures the very opposite of what religion should mean - but too often fall short. We now have befuddled, led by the nose, herds of people who follow Trump. No matter the revelations of his alleged criminal, constitutional, traitorous behavior. They support justices who know not the meaning of justice.
All the while they use Biblical inerrancy in political application, even as those they trust are too often being revealed as extremists, disloyal citizens, and bloodthirsty creatures who have no right to be in leadership positions. They most manifestly are not "inerrant", replete with errors internal and external. Within and without.
There is no beauty in them or their plans. There is no beauty in the faces and voices of those mobs, twisted, deranged, with anger and bloodlust, as they follow these fascistic creatures. So empowered are they by the 'infallible words and urgings" of their most 'unchosen', misbegotten leader. A leader so full of holes of morality, of humanity, that one can easily scan the skies, looking for that bolt of lightning for apostasy.
No, unfortunately no one is infallible. No one. Those who call for a "Christian" nation, for a Christian America, well, they scare the bejesus out of me. When a politician in Missouri is called out for his "Christian" values, well, I begin to pack. Have not all religions and their adherents been there, done that at some time in the past - and even in the present? Have we not done enough? Can we not understand that while the Power Above might indeed be infallible, his adherents, interpreters, and presenters on earth are most certainly fallible. We find twisted religions, twisted souls, twisted hopes for supposedly blessed outcomes, and a most frightening and growing hopelessness and enmity.
No. We can and must do better. We must learn from history. Look around. See Putin emulate Hitler. See Quislings within our own government. See into the future for WWIV, as we fight with sharpened staves, still fighting over religion and what people have made of it. We deafen the sky with our shouts for blood, for revenge, for that Power to be on Our side, for how could that not be? Surely our leaders are infallible. And so, we burn down our house around us even as we seek hard and long for the flint to light those fires. Gotta' do better. Now.
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