The Chicago Tribune reported today (Memorial Day, Monday, May 25, 2009) on the use of biblical quotations in American intelligence reports ( "Use of Scripture linked to war documents troubles Jewish, Christian leaders," see here). The article, by Manya A. Brachear, echoes an Associated Press piece in the Los Angeles Times , "Pentagon cuts daily Bible quote," that appeared on May 19, 2009 , see here.
In today's piece, Manya Brachear quotes from two Chicago-based of Christian theologians, Dr. Marc Gopin (representing a Jewish voice) of George Mason University, and a Chicago-based Muslim leader. Each respondent opposes the use of biblical verses, all taken out of context, between 2001 and 2003. Manya Brachear apparently did not find, or did not look, for any voice to speak positively about this practice.
As embarrassing as it may seem, the use of biblical imagery has a famous pedigree in American public discourse. Consider the following passage from Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address (for the full text, see here). I have highlighted the biblical passages in quotation marks:
Perhaps Lincoln, being a hero, had the right to quote bible in public, while Bush and Rumsfeld, often seen as villains, had not the right to allow the bible to be quoted in intelligence reports that did not simultaneously see the light of day.
Or, perhaps, the country has changed. At one time, a president could comfortably quote from a book that was seen as part of the cultural fabric of his country. Today, are we in a post-Christian America? And, if so, is that patently a good thing? Not in the eyes of this Jewish writer.