I’ve no doubt that some of my readers think that I’m one of those Canadian Christians that is so open minded my brains fall out.
There may be some truth to that.:^)
The Canadian Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms cuts both ways as far as I understand it, like any law or ideal, the balance is a delicate one.
2. The purpose of this Act is to extend the laws in Canada to give effect, within the purview of matters coming within the legislative authority of Parliament, to the principle that all individuals should have an opportunity equal with other individuals to make for themselves the lives that they are able and wish to have and to have their needs accommodated, consistent with their duties and obligations as members of society, without being hindered in or prevented from doing so by discriminatory practices based on race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, family status, disability or conviction for an offence for which a pardon has been granted.
We as a people and as a nation mess up, fail and fall short. Because we don’t claim to be a ‘ christian nation’, any time I comment on faith issues, I’m prepared to be criticised and misunderstood south of the 49th.
Having said that, I do not want a department of the Canadian government to pull this kind of pork barrelling. Ever.
Custom-printed Bibles for U.S. Special Ops on the way
by Steve Peacock
Although the International Bible Society (IBS) indeed will crank out a limited-run, special edition of the New International Version Bible in the near future, it’s unlikely that readers will discover, for example, a previously unreleased surprise ending to the Good Book. Rather, according to FedBizOpps.com, a site for federal government procurement opportunities, the Department of Defense intends to award the IBS a sole-source contract for the production of 10,000 Bibles containing military-specific messages and imagery. The Bibles - which will be distributed to soldiers of the elite U.S. Special Operations Command - will feature a “custom-designed cover” and “Army designed color photographs and text inserts.”
Why do I think this decision is wrong?
a) It is funded by a defense department
b) This is not an altrusitic effort, it is an economic decision
c) It blends nationalism and faith in subtle and elitist ways
d) The line between government and religion blurs
e) It implies ownership of a book that has no borders
Chuck Currie is more irritated than I am, and suggests this picture for the cover.
In a free market system, anyone can sell just about anything. This is available for people that don’t have enough pretty bibles. and won’ be able to get their hands on a special op edition.
As offensive as this may be, it is not being paid for and handed out by the government.
Published 3 years, 8 months ago
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I think it’s a cheap shot to suggest the prisoner abuse picture as a possible cover for this Bible. There are legitimate arguments against this Bible (and you touched on a few), but trying to paint everybody who serves in the U.S. Army as an evil torturer, even in a “joking” manner, is pretty nasty and unfair. (I know it isn’t you who made the suggestion…I’m just saying…)
Wouldn’t have occurred to me actually, that was Chuck’s idea.
There are a lot of cheap shots going around, aren’t there about a lot of systemic and individual problems.:^)
You see Joe Carter’s mention of you at the Evangelical Outpost?
http://www.evangelicaloutpost.com/archives/001066.html
Bene,
There’s one thing I’d like to add. I work for the Navy. The command I used to work for before my current one was a school house, and outside the Chaplain’s office there were free New Testament Bibles (along with free copies of the Koran and the Book of Mormon) available for the taking. There were also pamphlets about many different faiths such as Islam, Judaism and various Christian denominations. I think there were even some on Buddhism and Hinduism.
So, what I’m saying here is this is nothing new and there is nothing objectionable about providing Scripture to Christian men and women in the military. I don’t think it’s blurring religion and state.
Like I said, I can understand some of the arguments against this Bible, but I don’t necessarily agree with them.
Susan, I didn’t know you worked for the Navy.:^)
I’ve no problem agreeing to disagree.
This is new to me, I was unaware the US government handed out contracts for special printings of scriptures.
I still think special printings for special groups on the taxpayers dime is wrong.:^)
Funky Dung: So, that’s where the traffic is coming from. Blog on!
My father was given a special prayer book for soldiers and a special Bible when he enlisted in the US Army in 1942, but neither was edited or paid for by the US government or specifically, the Department of the Defense. They were just distributed to all those who wished to have them. Maybe instead of spending money on special Bibles, they should spend more money on armor plating of the vehicles so that more can survive to read regular Bibles, maybe the ones given them by the Gideons? Just a couple thoughts.
Hi Ivan:
I was criticised elsewhere for this viewpoint.
Like you I have no problem with anyone being given scripture, there are enough private organizations able to provide it.
Perhaps for many families a soliers bible is a treature.
I’m not able to understand why it is okay for a government to use money in an elist/patriotic/religious way. And I think it is inappropriate for the publisher/printer to accept it. If the US and it’s military had a dirth of bibles or a lack of private organizations willing to provide, okay.
But to contract a special editing, printing for a small group on the taxpayers dime is sending a message in this stage in time that is rather ill-advised.
There are over 4 thousand languages in the world. Translators are working in difficult conditions attempting to put these languages into written word. They are not receiving government money, nor are they asking for it. We really screw up priorities, don’t we?
You act as though the U.S. military ONLY gives out Bibles, which is not true.
God forbid we should offer our troops some spiritual comfort and nurturing. Can’t have THAT now.
Julie:
Does the Defense Department pay publishers for other spiritual and sacred texts? As in some of the material Susan mentioned? Is the Torah or Koran published specially by your government in special ops colours?
God forbid your troops are not offered spiritual comfort and nurturing.