Bible Quote by John Shelby Spong
“The Hebrew scriptures say it's okay to enslave anybody except your fellow Jews. It says you should enslave only your neighbors. I say to people that means Mexicans and Canadians are a bit at risk if we want to be literal about the Bible.”
About This Quote
The quote uses a literal reading of biblical passages on slavery to argue that non‑Jewish peoples could be targeted, highlighting a provocative, selective interpretation of scripture.
In simple terms: Selective biblical literalism
Key Takeaway
Literal readings can be weaponized
Themes
religion
ethics
interpretation
race
politics
Mood
provocative
critical
skeptical
Type
political
theological
social
When to use this quote
- theological debate
- social commentary
- political rhetoric
- interfaith dialogue
Key Concepts
biblical law
slavery
in‑group bias
exclusion
Practical Applications
- critical analysis of scriptural interpretation
- educational discussions on religious ethics
Questions to Reflect On
- How does selective literalism affect intergroup relations?
- What responsibilities do religious leaders have when interpreting sacred texts?
A Different Perspective
Such a claim oversimplifies complex theological contexts and ignores broader moral teachings of compassion and justice in the Bible.
![“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)
