Absurd Quote by John Shelby Spong
“The Bible was written between 3,000 and 2,000 years ago, and it's filled with the knowledge that people had in that period of time, some of which you and I rejected long ago. The Bible says that women are property, that homosexuals ought to be put to death, that anybody who worships a false God ought to be executed, that a child that talks back to his parents ought to be stoned at the gates of the city. Those ideas are absurd.”
About This Quote
The quote critiques ancient biblical moral codes as outdated and contradictory to modern values, highlighting how many teachings are now seen as absurd.
In simple terms: Biblical moral codes are obsolete.
Key Takeaway
Historical texts can conflict with contemporary ethics.
Themes
religion
ethics
history
cultural change
interpretation
Mood
critical
skeptical
reflective
Type
critical
analytical
controversial
When to use this quote
- academic debate
- interfaith dialogue
- secular education
- policy making
- media commentary
Key Concepts
biblical literalism
moral relativism
social progress
human rights
Practical Applications
- critical analysis of religious texts
- educational curricula on religious history
Questions to Reflect On
- How should societies reconcile ancient religious teachings with modern human rights?
- What criteria determine which historical moral codes are retained or discarded?
A Different Perspective
Some argue that the Bible's moral teachings remain relevant when interpreted contextually rather than literally.
![“I know Jerry [Falwell] fairly well, and he's probably not bright enough to recognize all of the implications of what he said.” quote by John Shelby Spong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/654/john-shelby-spong-1488_enough_i-know-jerry-falwell-fairly-well-and-he_109485.jpg)
