Where Did I Put Those Rose Colored Glasses?

A resolution to encourage the president to designate a National Year of the Bible has been submitted by Congressman Paul Broun. In part...

Whereas deep religious beliefs stemming from the Old and New Testament of the Bible have inspired Americans from all walks of life, especially the early settlers, whose faith, spiritual courage, and moral strength enabled them to endure intense hardships in this new land;

Like getting rid of those pesky Indians who had the misfortune of not having the Bible on their side. And not vacating the land we wanted. And not being civilized. Or white.

Whereas many of our Presidents have recognized the importance of God and the Bible, including George Washington; Franklin D. Roosevelt; Harry Truman; John F. Kennedy; Ronald Reagan, who declared 1983 as ‘The National Year of the Bible’; and especially Abraham Lincoln, whose 200th Birthday Celebration in 2009 highlighted freedom for the slaves;

Yes, the very slaves for which the Bible was used by some to justify their bondage. If 2010 is designated as 'The National Year of the Bible' does that negate 1983's declaration as 'The National Year of the Bible'?

Whereas shared Biblical beliefs unified the colonists and gave our early leaders the wisdom to write the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States, both of which recognized the inherent worth, dignity, and inalienable rights of each individual, thus unifying a diverse people with the right to vote, and the freedoms of speech and vast religious freedoms, which inspired courageous men like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to lead the Civil Rights Movement;

The colonists, many of whom fled religious persecution in the first place, were unified enough to persecute each other. Puritans hanged Quakers, Quakers imprisoned Baptists, etc. That's what helps me get past the incongruity of declaring a National Year of the Bible as a celebration of vast religious freedoms.

Whereas the Bible has been the world’s best selling book since it was first published in English in 1526, and has influenced more people than any other book;

On the best seller list for 25,116 weeks!!! Providing inspiration for the Crusades, the Inquisitions, slavery and more!

Whereas the Bible, used as a moral guide, has inspired compassion, love for our neighbor, and the preciousness of life and marriage, and has stimulated many benevolent, faith-based community initiatives and neighborhood partnerships that have healed and blessed our families, communities, and our entire Nation, especially in times of war, tragedy, and economic and social crisis;

No, we are definitely, positively and absolutely not pandering.

Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That the President is encouraged--

(1) to designate an appropriate year as ‘The National Year of the Bible’; and

(2) to issue a proclamation calling upon citizens of all faiths to rediscover and apply the priceless, timeless message of the Holy Scripture which has profoundly influenced and shaped the United States and its great democratic form of Government, as well as its rich spiritual heritage, and which has unified, healed, and strengthened its people for over 200 years.

Perhaps the appropriate year could be 1983? And citizens of no faith need not apply, which is one reason why we unified, healed, and strengthened people get along so well today.

Just one question, Congressman, if you please. Which Bible?