LET US PREY...
Politics have always played a major role in religion and equally the other way around. Not many people know that the decisions that were made about which books to be included in the Bible were not made by God but by politicos representing different geo-political regions of the Mediterranean [i.e. Council of Carthage]. Each "bishop" or regional leader brought with him ideas about the canon of the Bible that served his area to his advantage. Today we have different "bibles" that include different books because as the "church" grew, factions developed and evolved. Each faction, sect, denomination, etc. had its own reason for inclusions or exclusions or substitutions. It was not always as simple as Roman Catholic vs. Protestants. In fact, most book inclusions were made long before there were Catholics and Protestants.
In any case, I am always amused and then later concerned when politicians in the U.S. exhibit a certain religious "purity" and "spirit" and "rigorous adherence" to his or her flavor of "Christianity." Amusing though that is, it scares me because people buy into the sectarian take on what is "true" religion or "God's way." And like a carnival sideshow, the "barker" gets the take via some scam or diversion ...or lie ...or deception.
Big elections coming up. Notice who claims God on his/her side. Notice what touchstones of selfishly-concocted "Bibles" are quoted. Step right up, folks.
