The Mississippi State Book... the Bible?

If the United States are willing to turn their backs on the Bible in favor of sucking up to a minority, then why shouldn't a state, willing to stand up for God in these godless times, be able to stand for the Bible?  Mississippi seems to have grabbed the reins, and now that it has, the floodgates of dissent are open.  It doesn't take much anymore.  Where in God's good name were these people while Christians and the Bible have been bashed and persecuted of late?  And still Mississippi reaches for the mantel of guardian; protector of American Christian faith.  Has any other state stepped forward to claim the good book as theirs?  I think not.

I have been told Mississippi has probably produced more authors, secular and Christian, than any other state in the Union.  Yet, this state seems to have forgotten to designate a state book.  59% of Mississippi residents consider themselves "very religious," so it comes as no surprise that the Bible has been offered up as the tome to fill the state book void; and, why not?  It encompasses all the moral values most of the south touts on a regular basis.

I find this whole controversy very entertaining.  First off, the representatives proposing the two bills are Democrats.  They must have realized the blowback they're going to get over this whole affair from their own, far left, liberal base.  Second, they have strong bipartisan support for the bill.  Bipartisan support!   Do we dare still entertain the thought that the two parties can get together on some issue?  Mississippi seems to think so. Third is the significance of another, historical, Mississippi controversy; the overwhelming voter support in 2001, about 85%,  to keep the Confederate symbol, the battle flag, on the Mississippi state flag.  This in a state rife with African-American voters that either found nothing wrong with the flag, or thought there are more important things in this state to worry about, like equality, education, the poor, and the state economy.

"I think it's more important to pay attention to the education system in Mississippi than the flag," said one African-American resident of Vicksburg, which was besieged by Union forces in one of the pivotal battles of the Civil War. 

Another resident argued the people were trying to use the flag debate to solve racism — a problem that would not be erased by a mere vote. 

"I don't think the flag is the concern," the man said. "I'm concerned more with the hearts and minds of people. A piece of cloth with stars on it ain't going to change nothing."

ABC News, "Mississippi Votes to Keep Controversial Flag"

I begin to see Mississippi as a state that cares more about the majority voice of the state voters than about controversy and dissention from other states.  Mississippi has been ranked the poorest state in the Union, yet is also listed as the state whose population gives more to charity than any other.  If the Confederate battle flag could withstand pressure exerted by the state's regional NAACP, and another state's Bar Association, and still wave proudly at the end, it should be able to easily weather this squall.  But, you can bet your bottom dollar the atheists, ACLU, Islam, and probably the California Bar Association will have volumes to say against the idea.  One atheist organization is already weighing in.  Check out this article from Fox News:
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2015/01/14/miss-lawmakers-want-bible-to-become-official-state-book/.

Another very good article, by political writer David Dallas, gives a very nice take on the whole discussion:
http://msbusiness.com/blog/2015/01/13/david-dallas-bible-belongs-mississippi/.  

Mr. Dallas humorously hooks the reader from the start:

"If only [Mark] Twain and Jesus were both sitting next to one another in the balcony of our Mississippi State House.  The two of them would be absolutely amazed by a recent legislative proposal to make the Bible the state book of Mississippi.

God forgive us our complete lack of humility and our self-seeking attempt to turn God's Holy Word into an idol.  We may all burn for this one." 

I thoroughly enjoyed his article, and I think he is spot on, but I would have to disagree with Mr. Dallas on a couple of points.  One, I'm sick of asking forgiveness for being a Christian, and I certainly won't apologize to God for it.  I mean... really?  Also, I am tired of having our faith ridiculed folks not unable to win a case in court that can't be overturned upon appeal.  I advocate tolerance, but my patience has always been an issue.  The ACLU seems like the Al Sharpton of the legal profession.  I think they make money by stirring controversy, divisiveness, and hatred.  That pretty much sums up my view of the NAACP as well.  As far as the atheists, I don't think they make money at it.  No, I will not ask forgiveness for a complete lack of humility in this case.  I will not apologize for Christianity on this.

Mr. Dallas makes a case for the self-seeking attempt of certain legislators "to turn God's Holy Word into an idol."  And his point is what?  Don't all Christians hold that book up like a person shield from God?  We already swear oath upon it and venerate it as "God's Holy Word," so I have issue with why having this as our state book would be seen as anything less than a declaration of faith.  The legislators might burn in hell for their reasoning, but each of us must answer to our own Master for what we do and believe, for only our own Master has the right to pass this judgment upon us.  I think mine will allow me to stand with a bit of dignity here.
  

At the end of his article, Mr. Dallas lists many good and famous books by Mississippi authors which we might be better served choosing as the state book.  But picking one of those would be like picking a soft, fluffy, wad of cotton from the next boll and simply moving on down the row.  How boring.  Where is the famous Mississippi rebelliousness in that?

I wait with bated breath the unfolding of this current drama, though I think the drama will, in the end, be a poorly disguised comedy, with a moral.  Such fun!

God bless America, and God bless the great state of Mississippi!



Editor's Note:  

Before you go getting your panties in a bunch, it is essential to understand that this is just an opinion site and, as such, can be subjected to scrutiny by anyone with a differing opinion.  It doesn't make either opinion any more right or wrong than the other.  An opinion, presented in this context, is a way of inciting others to think and, hopefully, to form opinions of their own, if they haven't already done so.

It is my fervent hope that we keep open and active minds when reading opinions and then engaging in peaceful, constructive, discussion and debate in an arena of mutual respect concerning the opinions put forth.  After over twenty years as a military intelligence analyst, planner, and briefer, I have come to believe engaging each other in this manner and in this arena is the way we will learn tolerance and respect for differing beliefs, cultures, and viewpoints.

We all fall from grace, some more often than others; it is part of being human.  God's test for us is what we do afterward, and what we learn from the experience.
  

Pastor Frank Anthony Villari

Pastor Tony is founder of the Congregation for Religious Tolerance and author/editor of "The Path," the Congregation's official blogsite.