Religious Literalists Hurting Oklahoma
By NATHANIEL BATCHELDER
Through US history and in the present day, the vast majority identifying as Christians have interpreted scriptures as the writings of prophetic and inspired human beings, but not as the literal word of God. The minority calling the Bible the literal word of God threatens civility in society, peace in the world, even our state economy, for several reasons.
Literalists pick and choose from scriptures a few passages that appear to support their prejudices, then call their judgments “the will of God.” The now infamous statement by Rep. Sally Kern that “the homosexual agenda is a greater threat to America than terrorism” would be laughable if it were not emotionally damaging to young lesbians and gays, and the adults who love them. It is shocking that more leaders of Oklahoma's business, political, and religious communities have not publicly censured such speech.
Literalists believe they worship “the one true God” and that all other religions, even other denominations, are “false religions.” When Sally Kern said, “Not all religions are equal,” which religions was she dismissing as “not equal?” She said the homosexual agenda was a greater threat than terrorists or Islam “both of which are threats.” This insults gays, lesbians, Moslems, and the majority of Americans who celebrate the diversity that religious literalists despise. Her remarks are an embarrassment that will cost Oklahoma business ventures locating somewhere else.
Literalists ignore moral themes repeated consistently through scriptures. The Bible contains hundreds of cautions about the moral dangers of excessive wealth, particularly in the presence of terrible poverty, and the duty of God's people to extend special compassion to the poor, the outcast, and the despised. Jesus is quoted as saying unequivocally, “That which you did to the least of these, so also you did to me.” The disparity of wealth between rich and poor in America is the largest in history … a gross injustice about which religious literalists express little concern.
Literalists dismiss what science teaches if they perceive science to be in conflict with scriptures. For 150 years since Darwin's “Evolution of Species” was published, its basic postulates have been tested and found accurate. Every scientific discipline confirms evolution; no scientific discipline opposes it. Efforts by religious literalists to undermine the teaching of science are repugnant to reasonable people, who will avoid Oklahoma if that is the climate here.
That homosexuality is as naturally occurring as left-handedness in the human species is the position of the American Medical Association, the American Psychiatric Association, the American Psychological Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the National Association of Social Workers. These organizations oppose attempts at reparative or conversion therapies, and state that sexual orientation is not a choice and cannot be changed.
The world has moved on, leaving religious literalists behind. A majority of “Fortune 500” companies extend all partnership benefits to same-gender couples, including Wal-Mart and McDonald's. It is high time that Oklahoma moved with them into the new millennium.
