This quote says everything you need to know why laws coming out of Pierre are so ‘whacked’;
“Is it perfect? There’s only one thing I know that’s perfect, and that’s called the Bible,” he said.
It was in reference to the proposed hemp legislation. I have told legislators in the past if you want to live in a theocracy, move to the middle east, and let us govern this state and country with laws that MAN created.
But, applaud the nutball Republican efforts diverting attention from the party’s culture of corruption where murders and their covers up are commonplace by clogging the legislative session with christianic religionist argle-bargle.
Religion is a freedom this country is known for but it shouldn’t become biblical. Some are entitled to read to Quran. Others think Aliens are god. Nostradamus and Michelangelo questioned religion subliminally despite the fact hypocrisy could have gotten them killed. Their time was not democracy. We are a free country that’s moved from democracy into a republic. Our guide is the Constitution. If I spin around holding and worshiping a snake, I can hardly read the Bible at the same time. To much multitasking!
You’ll have to explain this one. I don’t read anyway they say they’re taking an oath to the Bible in the quote or the story.
Just because someone references something does not mean they’re not taking their oath seriously or have misplaced priorities.
Also, more often than not, elected officials do take an oath ON a bible, torah, quran or some other book of holy, sacred or important laws to them to provide witness to the seriousness of the oath they’re taking.
Had Karin Soli made a similar comment you’d praise her. You can do better than this. Your reader crave intellectual honesty. Set yourself apart from your competitors.
Whoever said the thing about the only thing they know being perfect has bad Christology. I guess that’s the problem today. Not enough people have a solid foundation in understanding their faith.
I’ll pray for that person. Amen.
What the heck does Bible scripture have to do with hemp production!? Nothing. That’s my point. When in the capital concentrate on law, when in church concentrate on God. Pretty simple.
Sure. But all that the member was saying is that it isn’t a perfect bill and that no one should expect a perfect bill because in their opinion on the Bible is perfect. For all you know, they could be the ones to carry the water on the bill, but you’ve already tainted them in your view.
They make no reference explicitly saying that the bill is anti or pro Jesus. So your comments still don’t make any sense at all.
Uhh this quote is probably from a person who is supporting the bill though. Are you confused
Yeah I just went and re-read the story in the argus leader. The legislator is saying he is a supporter of the bill and is encouraging others to support it.
“Yah, the Bible is perfect”….”That’s what I tell my wives and slaves everyday”…. (jk)
Scott – I see once again this is another example of your “issue” with Christians. We get it, you dont like them or like their faith. I hate to break this do you but, when your a Christian you don’t stop being one just because you are in public office. If you did you would not be considered a Christian but,a Charlatan. The comment is stating that the bill is not perfect but, their opinion is the only thing perfectly written is the Bible. I don’t understand what the issue is with the comment, its a comment, not a law.
You have something unique in this blog that keeps many coming here for an angle we don’t get from our Local news. You do a good job of informing many and interjecting your thoughts into things to invoke people to at least engage. My only advice is focus on the topics that are important to all and stop trying to insult people because your constant attack on Christians is insulting to me. You often rail that our president is running off at the mouth, well in my opinion when you post SH!T like this you to are running off at the mouth and this is adding NO value. Your better than this and I do appreciate your blog but, your kind of being an anti christian dick and it shows. Remember you believe in the big tent, so accept us Christians and relax on it a bit. I have heard your explanation that you think Christianity is Dogma and you don’t want it shoved down your throat and that you do in fact like Christians etc but, when you constantly have negative things to say about them even when the comment is benign, I don’t think your being honest about it. Come on man, your better, be better, I support you but, your insulting at times for no reason. I hope this does not offend you but, I am praying for you and I hope God blesses you even though you have rejected him. Have a nice day
My point is why do S.D. legislators have to bring up God or Jesus or the Bible every time they are interviewed about something? Why couldn’t he just say, “It’s not perfect but nothing is.†Done
They constantly have to interject religion. It was a bill about Hemp not prayer in schools.
You’ll have to ask them.
Scott – I guess my question back to you and I mean this sincerely, why does it bother you so much? People are who they are and that is their faith and IF they feel that is the comment they want to make who cares. I don’t want to use the word Trigger but, this stuff really seems to get a reaction out of you and always negative.
If you truly didn’t care there would be no mention of it on your blog so frequently. Folks that believe in GOD and try to live by his rules and acknowledge him as the final authority would probably make comments like this all the time. It really comes down to your world view and how you see things and yours appears to exclude GOD but, thats for YOU and a decision you have made. I don’t know man but, it really seems to be a sticking point for you and there have been many comments by you, most negative or backhanded compliments, about Christians. So I would say take your own advice and at least own it and be honest that you have an issue with Christians and if you TRULY don’t, maybe reevaluate your comments you frequently seem to have. I just say pick a lane and let me know where you stand.
@ Conservative There, What you and countless others refer to as “Christianity” generally has very little to do with the teachings/lessons from Christ. Instead, what is adhered to by most in that “religion” is the teachings of the apostle Paul (formerly known as Saul, the tax-collector), which, of course, reflect HIS personality and perspective – that of a “tithe” (tax) dependent organizational bureaucrat. Christ taught one and only one ritual (Drink wine, and eat bread) and ZERO organizational structure or other “rules”.
Sheesh, Scott. I’m as athiest as they come and even I think this post is a bit nutty. The guy was using a figure of speech to demonstrate a point. He could have just as easily said “The only thing I know of that is perfect is Nature.” Since he’s obviously a Christian this is a figure of speech that makes sense to him.
I don’t know what has been going on with you in the last 6-12 months, but it sure seems like things are a little off. When I lived in SF your blog was a great source of local news — often covering things the main stream outlets wouldn’t. Now it seems like things are more focused on conspiracy theories and angry ranting. I hope this changes because I’ve enjoyed reading your site over the years and would like to continue to do so.
PS – Bible worship is idolatry.
What if it was a Democratic Muslim state legislator who said this,
“Is it perfect? There’s only one thing I know that’s perfect, and that’s called the Quoran,â€
You would have flipped sh*t and you know it.
If a farmer would have said the same thing, I would not have cared. And to tell you the truth, I have never heard a figure of speech like that before. I have heard people over and over say, “It’s not perfect, but what is?” That is a real ‘figure of speech.
I expect my lawmakers to keep religion out of their decision making, even if I agree with the laws they are making.
Our forefathers specifically asked for separation of church and state for a reason. The ironic part is that you want to blame me for bringing this up, it the media that chose to use that quote, they could have used something else, but they purposely chose the legislator who has decided to wear his religion on his sleeve.
And just for the record the Bible isn’t perfect, theologians will tell you that, so in some ways it is foolish to say something like that, and that is probably why the newspaper chose that quote.
My issue, for a long time isn’t what your personal faith is, I don’t care, but when you are making laws for the people, I ask you to separate your faith from making those laws. Is there some crossover? Sure. Heck, in the Bible it even says this;
“render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s; and to God the things that are God’s.†—Matthew 22:21
The way I look at it, Caesar (legislature) is the one who makes laws about crop production, not God.
Rufusx – Your post has no relevance to the point I was making, you are making generalizations of Christians. Stay on topic! The point I am making is Scott seems to have an issue with Christianity and its not the first time this has come up. If you want to have a discussion around Christians, fake ass Christians, half-ass Christians, bigoted Christians, etc, then we can have that. I would just say that just like every group, some are good, some are bad, etc.
Scott – I have no issue with someone making a statement about the Quoran is that is what the wanted to say. You can say all you want that you don’t care if someone is a Christain but, their faith is not something they drop at the door when they walk in to legislate. You never answered the fundamental question I asked, if you don’t’ have a problem why do you pitch a fit every time it comes up. Your remarks are a clear indication of how you feel but, instead of owning it you say you have no issue and make excuses. I am disappointed that you can’t even see that. I remember one post in which you made a remark about a Christain organization that I believe was buying the old school for the deaf and you made a backhanded compliment along the lines of “they do good even though they are a Christain organization”. You may not see it but, you appear to have an issue and you’re not even hiding it anymore. The Atheist above even notes you’re overboard on this. I am trying to tell you you fly is open but, you won’t even look down, come bro, you’re better than this.
I’m better than what? Pointing out the core principles of our Democracy like Separation of Church and State? As I have pointed out on this blog over the years, that separation is there to protect the faithful, so that government doesn’t interfere in your faith – but on the other hand, your faith can’t interfere in government. It is a simple principle that has served our nation well. As I pointed out in the original post, if you would prefer a theocratic government based on some/any religion, I would have you look to the other theocratic nations in our world, who mutilate women, chop journalists into tiny little pieces, cut people’s heads off, have public hangings, gas their own people, the list goes on. I’m not a fan of the alternative, and I will fight tooth and nail to keep it that way. You may call it anti-religion but I call it pro-democracy.
There’s a lot of room between what we’re currently talking about and “a theocratic government based on some/any religion.” You’re off base here, Scott.
This isn’t about if the bible is perfect or not.
This isn’t about separation of church and state.
This isn’t about democracy.
This isn’t about using religion to make decisions.
You’re not some hero protecting democracy.
The guy just used a figure of speech to demonstrate that this bill isn’t perfect, but nothing is except the bible — in his opinion, anyway. That’s it.
Someone calls you out on this and you can only deflect, minimize, and spit venom. You’re sounding more and more like Trump every time I come back to visit this site. Sad.
Good grief, calm down. It is a figure of speech. It is not “interfering in government.†In what way is the statement causing an interference in government (whatever that is suppose to mean)? This is totally nuts.
Long time reader here and lingerer, rarely a commenter, but this discussion, which is really about reading comprehension, has compelled me to post.
Not sure you understand the real purpose of seperation of church and state. It doesnt mean they cant make reference to one another. It is so churches cant make laws for Govt and Govt isnt supposed to make laws for churches so that only one can rule all.
You sure seem hell bent on being anti-Christian for some reason. Always wanting to take a dig at them as well as President Trump and conservatives even when the topic at hand has nothing to do with any of them. Not sure what the heck is going on but I will pray you find peace to deal with whatever it is you are going through.
@ Conservative There: What I was saying is that Christianity – in it’s present popular form – is fake. Not just some individual, but what it actually is. Part of what it is today is the wholly contrived book – “the bible”.
I understand, that as a “conservative” it is your tendency to attempt to frame all considerations of almost any topic (but especially government/politics) in terms of interpersonal relationships, vs. critical topic analysis – devoid of personal or personality references. Such behavioral tendencies are well studied and documented within the social sciences.
Time out. I’m happy we recite the pledge of allegiance or stand for the national anthem at public events. There’s no prayer. Expressing your faith is a freedom but it doesn’t have to be and shouldn’t be in government. Using the god card is like using the race card. It helps me recognize who not to listen to or vote for.
I don’t really care what people think, all you need to do is look at the whacky record of the legislature and how this state ranks last in almost everything.
It’s because we have people in Pierre more concerned that every one knows they are a Christian then if they are an effective leader.
Again, I think you’re missing the point of most of the commenters on here. Using a figure of speech does not necessarily make for a whacky record. Being a professed Christian doesn’t make you an ineffective leader nor does it cause you vote in a whacky way. You cannot conflate the two.
There are two things happening here. 1) you’re misunderstanding of a figure of speech and 2) you’re alleged disdain for Christians (I don’t pretend to know what’s in you heart) has caused you to make a post that makes no sense and caused you to lose credibility on debating the hemp issue in the state.
*your
Clearly, I meant your (not you’re).
1) it’s not a figure of speech, it is an add on to a figure of speech so he could tell the media how Christian he is and 2) it shows how hypocritical he is because if he were a true Christian he would understand the Bible and that it is not perfect. So maybe I don’t have a problem with him professing his faith but maybe I have a problem with how little he knows about it.
Maybe you should come clean with your readers and explain how clicks keep your blog hosted.
Scott knows all threads Trump and religion is click bait gold.
I say this as a Christian, first and foremost, I think it is rude and insensitive for a political leader to make inferences to their religion as one of superiority, or all knowing. Especially, if that political leader also claims to truly believe in freedom of religion and the true meaning of the establishment clause of the US Constitution.
Now, with that said, do I think it is wrong for a politician to quote the Bible, the Quran, or whatever religious book, if they are trying to make a point about a common decency which all should value whether they be with or without faith? No. But when a politician claims that their religious book or instrument of faith is somehow “perfect” in a public setting, then it is analogous to a politician saying that my blonde spouse is perfect, he or she’s a blonde, which makes her great and blonde’s are always the best, but such comments are blatantly wrong. Because such statements suggest that a politician has created a class system, which makes some superior, and in so doing, how can this politician be fair to all in listening to different constituents ideas and opinions, in order, to properly formulate fair and good public policy?
Now on an other note, a politician’s spouse might be one of great value on their own and a great asset to a politician, and perhaps the best advisor to that politician, but hopefully that politician loves and respects his or her spouse for who he or she is and not merely for something, which is merely only skin deep, superficial, and discriminatory, and not at all encompassing as one would hope would come from a politician who exists in a democratic society.
Well I certainly understood what he was saying. Are we really going to bicker over semantics? If so, I suggest you grab your dictionary instead of redefining words as you see fit in Trumpian fashion.
If we are having a discussion on how tacky it is to wear your religion on your sleeve I’d agree with you wholeheartedly. If we are having a discussion about how many Christians know less about their religion that many athiests and agnostics, again I’d agree with you. But we aren’t having that conversation and now you’re moving the goalposts until you find something that sticks.
Tractor Parts LJL, my revenue goes up very little when I mention those things. In fact it has steadily rose the past 4 months, but it has little to do with what I post, it has to do with the popularity of the ads.
Make sure you stop by and see me soon. I got a good deal on manure spreaders this week. You need to upgrade to a bigger one!
don’t stand waving the bible with one hand, while you screw me over with the other.
No worries, I get all the manure I need from the steps of city hall.
IF any R is going to oppose any of Kristi’s pet policies, they have to aver they are not godless first. It’s just how SD things get done now.