When I discussed slavery and the Bible a few weeks ago, I tried to deal with the various responses that I might hear from people who believe that the Bible is inerrant. Apparently there was one that I didn't think of, but I heard it today. I was talking with someone who believes that most of the Bible is the inspired word of God and I asked him what he thinks about the passages that condoned slavery. He said that he didn't see anything wrong with slavery because the Bible doesn't condemn it. I pressed him on this to make sure I wasn't misunderstanding. He confirmed that he sees nothing inherently wrong with owning another human, punishing him or her with beatings and using them for forced labor. He said that he is not racist and that he doesn't want to be a slave or own a slave now, but if the legality of slavery was put to a vote, he wouldn't bother to go to the polls to vote for or against it.

Plus one point for being consistent with his belief that the Bible is God's word. Minus one million points for moral reprehensibility.

I have little respect for somebody who kept silent during seven years of the worst government abuses of my generation, helped sell an unnecessary war based on false information and propaganda, and lied to the American public on a daily basis, only to suddenly develop a conscience long after the ship has sailed.

While I it's nice to hear that at least somebody in Bush's circle isn't pleased with what his actions have done to our country, your dissenting voice would have been far more helpful before the United States invaded Iraq, or at least while the president was running for re-election in 2004, to stop him from doing even more damage. Instead, you've chosen to speak only after the Bush presidency has reached total lame duck status and a vast majority of Americans have already drawn the same conclusions as you.

Yes, your book confirms what some Iraq war critics have been saying since the beginning, but in June 2008 it can serve no practical effect other than to relieve your own personal guilt.

Astounding.

(via Signal vs Noise)