putting words in God's mouth

[Kire]

In my county there are dozens of billboards that put words in God's mouth. Obviously, God did not say the words, "The real supreme court is up here!", "If you must curse, use your own name!", and "As my apprentice, you're never fired!"

So, I am looking for scripture to put in a letter to the editor of the county rag to point out that it is a sin to put words in God's mouth. Everybody knows the commandment not to use the Lord's name in vain and all, but aren't there other scriptures that point that out that are even more apropos to this situation?

I wasn't raised Christian, and I still don't attend church regularly, so I don't know very many bible verses. I don't even remember specifically remember where I learned this, but the preacher was pretty fiery talking about how if God didn't say it in the bible, you really shouldn't attribute something else to Him.

Thanks for the help.

[shawn703]

1. Blasphemy

I'm not sure offhand of any Scripture you could use, but that's really the word for what you're describing.

[RevCheesehead]

2. I always like quoting Jesus.

from The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5: 33-37)

Again, you have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, "You shall not swear falsely, but carry out the vows you have made to the Lord." But I say to you, Do not swear at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. Let your word be "Yes, Yes" or "No, No"; anything more than this comes from the evil one.

and if you really want to get into it:

Either make the tree good, and its fruit good; or make the tree bad, and its fruit bad; for the tree is known by its fruit. You brood of vipers! How can you speak good things, when you are evil? For out of the aboundance of the heart the mouth speaks. The good persons brings good things out of a good treasure, and the evil person brings evil things out of an evil treasure. I tell you on the day of judgment you will have to give an account for every careless word you utter; for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.
-Matthew 12: 33-37

You hypocrites! Isaiah prophesied rightly about you when he said: "This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching human precepts as doctrines."
-Matthew 15: 7-9

Do you not see that whatever goes into the mouth enters the stomach, and goes out into the sewer? But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this is what defiles. For out of the heart come evil intentions, murder, adultery, fornication, theft, false witness, slander. These are what defile a person...
-Matthew 15: 17-20a

[Kire]

4. I really want to get into it.

Thanks!!!

[CBHagman]

3. There are a couple of passages in the Gospels...

...about people claiming to do the will of God but not knowing God at all. I forget the passages, but Jesus said something like "Not everyone who says, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father in heaven." There's also a passage where Jesus predicts (correctly) that times will come when those who kill His followers will think they're doing God a favor.

I mean, just look at the U.S., for starters. Look at how the Quakers were persecuted in the Colonial times.

Then, of course, there are all the horrific cases of war, torture, persecution, and execution in Europe, all done supposedly in the name of God. Imagine executing someone because she doesn't believe quite the same things about communion (the Eucharist, the Lord's supper, etc.) as you do.

[Kire]

5. I sent a letter to the county rag.

Here's what I sent:

"As my apprentice, you're never fired!"
"The real supreme court is up here!"
"If you must curse, use your own name!"

Have you seen these billboards on the county roads here in Warren? They are all black, with big white letters, and they all attribute these words, words that are not in the Bible, to "God".

The word apprentice is not in the bible once, but let's pretend that it was. It is a relief to know that, as God's apprentice, we can't fail. But what if we are successful? Could we eventually become masters? If we are indeed truly masterful, will we become equal to, or even replace God? Is business and power even an appropriate metaphor for how we should lead our spiritual lives? Is never firing employees an appropriate policy for a good business to have?

But, who paid for these billboards? What is their agenda? Is it a conservative attempt to overthrow the US Supreme Court, or a 'South Park Republican' attempt to people who "must curse"? Isn't that liberalism in sheep's clothing? Why don't they even list themselves on their own billboards? Don't they want to be listed on the right hand of God's billboards.

Maybe it is better they don't reveal themselves, so we are not tempted to judge the sinners along with their sin.

Here's the long version:

Something is not right about those billboards in Warren County that say "The real supreme court is up here!", "If you must curse, use your own name!", and "As my apprentice, you're never fired!". They are all black, with big white letters, and they are all attributed to "God".

Attributed to God: by the billboard...not the Bible. Putting words in God's mouth. Taking the lord's name in vain. Blasphemy.

Jesus did not insult tax collectors and sinners, or anybody else for that matter, even if they did sit in judgment of others' actions here on earth. Why would God? He wants thee to love thy neighbr as they self.

The word apprentice is not in the bible once. Introducing it in God's name raises all kinds of questions:

If we can fail as his apprentice without consequences, what if we are successful? Will we eventually learn to be a master of all that God has taught us? Will we learn enough about the word of God to go into business for ourselves? What about the competition? If we are indeed truly masterful, are we to become equal to, or even replace this God of whom we speak? Is that ultimately consistent with the first commandment, thou shalt have no other gods? Is business even an appropriate metaphor for how we should lead our spiritual lives? Is never firing employees an appropriate policy for a good business to have?

The first billboard about where the real supreme court is, seems to be all about the conservative agenda against 'activist judges'. But the second one -- If you must curse.. -- adopts a more permissive, liberal tone. In Matthew 5:34, Jesus says, "But I say unto you, Swear not at all." Why should God's law permit us to curse one of his children, even if it is ourself? Is this the marketing strategy the new 'South Park Republicans' book talks about?

Finally, who paid for these billboards? Is this group doing so humble a public service that they don't mind getting no credit for it? Why don't they want to be listed on the right hand of God’s billboards? Is signing your work a mere formality? Aren’t there reporting requirements for political ads? What would the real supreme court say?

[RevCheesehead]

6. Very nice

Let us know if "the rag" publishes it. :thumbsup:

[Kire]

7. hopefully, there will be a link

[Kire]

8. just got a call

they're going to print it

honestly, it's a lot better than most of the blather on that page...so, why wouldn't they?

[Kire]

9. in today's paper

too many questions, I think...it'll go over everyone's head...I should have put in a declarative sentence in the middle somewhere to keep the reader's brain from reeling

fucking moveon and their alarmist emails made me send it in a rush to get it in before the supreme court/filibuster thing came up to a vote.... :grr:

Billboards' words aren't those of God

"As my apprentice, you're never fired!"

"The real supreme court is up here!"

"If you must curse, use your own name!"

Have you seen these billboards on the roads in Warren County? They are all black, with big white letters, and they all attribute these words, words that are not in the Bible, to "God."

The word apprentice is not in the Bible once, but let's pretend that it was. It is a relief to know that, as God's apprentice, we can't fail. But what if we are successful? Could we eventually become masters? If we are indeed truly masterful, will we become equal to, or even replace God? Is business and power even an appropriate metaphor for how we should lead our spiritual lives? Is never firing employees an appropriate policy for a good business to have?

But who paid for these billboards? What is their agenda? Is it a conservative attempt to overthrow the U.S. Supreme Court? Or maybe a "South Park Republican" attempt to attract people who "must curse?" Isn't that just liberalism in sheep's clothing? Why don't they even list themselves on their own billboards? Don't they want to be listed on the right hand of God's billboards.

Maybe it is better they don't reveal themselves, so we are not tempted to judge the sinners along with their sin.

ERIK ANDERSON

Hackettstown

http://www.nj.com/letters/expresstimes/index.ssf?/base/news-0/1117011958110280.xml&coll=2&thispage=2

[RevCheesehead]

10. Hooray!

Hey, just a thought -
You might want to edit out your name and city. DU is not safe from trolls, spammers, etc., and that might be giving away too much personal information. Maybe replace it with (my name), (my city).

Congrats!!!

[Kire]

11. good call

the editing time has expired, I guess I'll have to ask the mods to delete it and repost

Edit: or maybe not, I am including the link where my personal info is -- what do you think about that