Wow: 3/10 Americans Likely Believe the Bible to Be Literal

Recently, a Gallup poll collected results from telephone interviews conducted from May 5th to May 8th 2011 with a total of 1,018 random individuals aged 18 or over living in the United States of America. Every 3 in 10 Americans are most likely to believe that the ‘Holy’ Bible (Old and New Testaments) is the literal word of God as opposed to a book of fairy tales created by goat herders in a desert or a book inspired by the man in the sky himself. (Why, by the way, is it always a ‘He’?)

Gallup also noted other interesting facts, such as the likelihood of conservatives more likely to lean towards the literal interpretation of the Bible and the likelihood of liberals not.

While the results were expected due to the United States being unfortunately turned towards the Christian faith even though it was intended to be ideally secular, the shock of actually knowing that there are people out there who actually believe _______________.

Insert any of the following into the blank:

a) A talking snake convinced two humans, who were DESIGNED by the Supreme Creator of the Universe (who sees the future too by the way; so logically “He” set up the so called “Fall of Man”), to eat a couple of forbidden fruits and consequently get exiled from a garden paradise called “Eden”. Seriously? The Assassins Creed series’ plot is so much better than the Bible.

b) That the Earth is 10,000 to 12,000 years old.

c) That there was a global flood which killed millions of species and spared 8 humans (the ensuing incest probably explains humanity’s stupidity today) and two pairs of every species intended to survive.

d) An omnipotent, omniscient and all-benevolent supreme being punished the humans for trying to make a tower to reach “Heaven”.

e) People, without modern medicine or anything like that, lived for hundreds of years.

f) Et cetera.

To commemorate the results of the Gallup poll (and to have a little fun), I’ve decided to just tear apart a religion column at the Daily Press written by Minister Hilda V. Martin, who by the way, is an ordained and licensed preacher who helps lead the Ministry of Truth.

Let’s start shall we?

The Holy Bible was written for all people of all nations — no one is exempted from the truth of God’s word.

Really? Tell that to the, oh I don’t know, Hindus in India, Muslims over in the Middle East and the agnostics/atheists in Asia and Europe. Also the homosexuals (who should be stoned according to God’s word) living practically everywhere.

All humans are part of God’s creation and he loves us all equally. His word verifies that, “God is no respecter of persons” (Acts 10:34). Therefore no one — rich or poor, white or black, American or foreigner, Christian or non-Christian — is exempted from God’s love. The Bible declares that although God hates sin and all unrighteous deeds, his love is unconditional for all.

That’s a nice description. Unfortunately if you read a newspaper or click “News” in Google, Yahoo or whatever website, then you can obviously note that a loving god does not exist. Then there’s that nice, cozy place you call Hell in Christian theology for those unconditionally loved by God but who didn’t believe in him.

Too many people have never read the Holy Bible because they believe, or have been told by others, that it was written just for Jews and Christians. This has caused many people to neglect the greatest book ever written in their behalf.

And I do hope that those people never read the Bible. Unless you want more atheists that is.

The Bible includes beneficial promises available for everything that people encounter in life pertaining to their spiritual, physical, emotional and economical needs. Today many people have given great testimonies about the fulfillment of God’s promises in their personal lives.

Look, what person doesn’t want to meet their dead ancestors, talk with friends/family, eat good food, enjoy an eternal life in Paradise and all that cool stuff after dying? Problem is, the place doesn’t exist. At least not for the sane people.

There is life-giving words in the scriptures. They explain how God’s power placed within Christians can be activated when they scripturally pray and lay hands on the sick. The power of blessings can become gifts to all people by the Holy Spirit of God through salvation. We could even begin to see more healings and less premature deaths when people start to believe that all Bible content is available for them as well.

This is sounding more and more like a cult. There is power in Christians today that can somehow be “activated” by praying and putting their hands on cancer patients? Unbelievable! Gee, I wonder how so many people die of the numerous types of cancers every day? Not to mention the abundance of rapes, poverty, murder and human trafficking (which is condoned by the Bible..the Bible was actually cited as a reason for the Southern states to fight against the abolition of slavery before the U.S. Civil War) .

But oh wait, that’s not God’s fault. It’s our fault, for being made this way! At this point, we would probably go into a conversation about “free will” and all that, but here’s a question: How is free will existent if there is a God that’s both all-powerful and all-knowing? Meaning he knows everything you’re going to do regardless of your future thought process. As a bonus, he also made you. Where’s the free will?

The Bible lets all people know it is possible to walk in faith and not fear. The scriptures alert us over and over again, “Do not fear.”

Today, Americans appear to be running around in circles of fear. When questioned, they admit to living each day in fear for this country, loved ones and family members, especially their children. Traumatic cares of this world brought on by a “fear of losing” and “fear of lack” seem to dominate many minds. These concerns can cause a constant emotional state of frustration, confusion and fearfully wondering what tomorrow will bring.

Anyone would be scared in today’s world. But that’s completely normal. What isn’t normal is that humans everywhere should have the right to enjoy life and what also isn’t normal is the fact that religion (Christianity included) always capitalizes on that fear and brings in more followers…and more cash.

We must agree that with all the intellectual knowledge, the “how-to” books and the high-tech inventions, we still need guaranteed beneficial answers that we can depend upon now. Well, the Bible takes out all the guessing, all the “ifs” and “supposes.” The word informs us about our tomorrows and what we can expect from the provisions and promises of God.

Minister Martin is right: the Bible does take out all the guessing. It allows people to eliminate at least one religion (or three if you want to group the Abrahamic religions together) because the Bible is simply ridiculous and unfit to survive as a way of life in a modern context. And as for what we can expect from the promises of God, well, nothing.

God relates in the scriptures to all people that he is the source and provider of all we will ever need on earth and in eternity. Many people have lived, suffered and died, and never knew the goodness and mercies of God available for them. The word states that God “opens his hand and satisfies the desire of every living thing.” (Psalms 145:16)

God has often been described as a hard taskmaster. This is far from the truth. The Holy Bible explains that he reaches out to everyone with loving kindness and tender mercies, still allowing them the freedom of choice regarding everything in their lives.

Is it me or do ministers/pastors like Minister Martin back up their preaching with, oh yes, the Bible and the Bible only?

Many people are afraid to die, and it is mainly because they assume that death closes out their lives forever. Yet the Bible cancels out this assumption. It explains that God’s created people are also spiritual beings housed in human flesh. It lets us know that people do not die because the spirit leaves the body in death and continues to live. The after-life destination of our own spirit is a choice God has left up to each individual.

What?

The Bible reveals God has opened his welcoming arms to everyone. If we receive, he obligates himself to fulfill his promises. Jesus’ sacrifice at Calvary for everyone’s inherited sin, because of Adam and Eve’s disobedience to God, offers all salvation and eternal life. The Bible instructs that in order to receive from God, a person has to believe, repent their sins and invite Jesus into their hearts.

..Um, okay?