Wednesday, August 22, an opinion writer to The Reflector tried to suggest that I believe “conscience” emerged from “primordial slime”. Nonsense. I never said any such thing. I don’t pretend to believe or to know a thing unless there is solid evidence to back my claim. There are already too many dogma-blinded individuals on both sides of this particular argument.
I can claim to know that morality did not come from the English Bible as assembled for King James. The first half of Deuteronomy 21 includes instructions from Moses on how to rape a virgin war prisoner before abandoning her (verses 10 to 14) and the second half of the same chapter tells parents how to arrange for their rebellious child to be stoned to death (18 to 21). I highly encourage everyone to read the Bible cover to cover before making noise about how useful the book is in space-age lawmaking. Such nonsense doesn’t put food in the food bank. It doesn’t bring medicine, that actually works, to the sick in our community.
If you really want my opinion, I believe morality requires a healthy mix of intelligence and empathy. Before you ask the Bible for guidance, you should ask a woman‘s advice.
My critic is also awfully quick to attack childless marriages. Should the law force sterile couples to get divorced? Should the law force sterile couples to adopt children? Let’s (please) think before we vote.
Fewer laws are better. Forget the Bible. The Golden Rule doesn’t require it.
David Norris
Battle Ground
