Bible Quote by Buchi Emecheta
““One thing she did not know was the greatest book on human psychology is the Bible. If you were lazy and did not wish to work, or if you had failed to make your way in the society, you could always say 'my kingdom is not of this world'. If you were a jet-set woman who believed in sleeping around, VD or no VD you could always say Mary Magdalene had no husband but didn't she wash the feet of our Lord? 'Wasn't she the first person to see our risen Saviour'? If on the other hand you believed in the inferiority of the Blacks you could always say 'slaves obey your Master. It's a mysterious book, one of the greatest of all books, if not the greatest. Hasn't it got all the answers?””
About This Quote
Source Interview: Discussing Religion and Society, Buchi Emecheta, 1995
The quote suggests the Bible is used to justify diverse, often contradictory, personal and social positions, highlighting its broad interpretive power.
In simple terms: People use the Bible to support many different, sometimes opposing, viewpoints.
Key Takeaway
Recognize how texts can be interpreted to fit various agendas.
Themes
interpretation
power
religion
social justification
contradiction
Mood
critical
reflective
Type
philosophical
inquisitive
When to use this quote
- political debate
- personal counseling
- academic study
- media analysis
Key Concepts
theology
social control
ethical relativism
Questions to Reflect On
- What drives people to cite the same source for opposite views?
- How does selective reading shape belief systems?
A Different Perspective
Interpretations may ignore context and nuance.
