President Donald Trump is waging a trade war with China, but most of America’s Bibles are printed there, so publishers warn of a Bible shortage if the next round of tariffs goes through. The U.S. imports some 150 million Bibles from China each year, where they’re printed on ultra-thin paper subject to a proposed 25 percent tariff. Maybe American Christians can substutute copies of The Art of the Deal for the Good Book. Lord knows many of them have done that already.
More:
“Bible shortage? Publishers say tariffs could cause it,” Travis Loller, Associated Press
“A ‘Bible tax’: Christian publishers warn that China tariffs could lead to costly Bibles,” Emily McFarlan Miller, Religion News Service via Washington Post
“Artificial intelligence and autonomous robots should be encouraged to become religious, a US reverend has said.
Reverend Christopher Benek, associate pastor of Providence Presbyterian Church in Florida, believes advanced forms of artificial intelligence should be welcomed into the Christian faith.
‘I don’t see Christ’s redemption limited to human beings,’ Benek said in an interview with the futurist Zoltan Istvan. ‘It’s redemption to all of creation, even AI.’
‘If AI is autonomous, then we should encourage it to participate in Christ’s redemptive purposes in the world.'”
Evangelical broadcaster Harold Camping convinced followers that the world would end on September 6, 1994. As you may remember, it didn’t.
Mr. Camping looked back at his Bible-derived math and recalculated; the Apocalypse would occur on May 21, 2011. Mercy me, wrong again. Back to the drawing board. Okay, that’s it: October 21, 2011.
“Pope Francis called for renewal of the Roman Catholic Church and attacked unfettered capitalism as ‘a new tyranny’, urging global leaders to fight poverty and growing inequality in the first major work he has authored alone as pontiff.
The 84-page document, known as an apostolic exhortation, amounted to an official platform for his papacy, building on views he has aired in sermons and remarks since he became the first non-European pontiff in 1,300 years in March.
In it, Francis went further than previous comments criticizing the global economic system, attacking the ‘idolatry of money’ and beseeching politicians to guarantee all citizens ‘dignified work, education and healthcare’.
He also called on rich people to share their wealth. ‘Just as the commandment “Thou shalt not kill” sets a clear limit in order to safeguard the value of human life, today we also have to say “thou shalt not” to an economy of exclusion and inequality. Such an economy kills,’ Francis wrote in the document issued on Tuesday.”
— “Pope Francis ‘Evangelii Gaudium’ Calls For Renewal Of Roman Catholic Church, Attacks ‘Idolatry Of Money.'” Naomi O’Leary, Reuters via Huffington Post[link added]
Texas Governor Rick “Santa” Perry signed the “Merry Christmas Bill” into law last week, allowing public school Christmas parties in the Lone Star State. “It’s a shame that a bill like this one I’m signing today is even required, but I’m proud that we’re standing up for religious freedom in this state,” said Mr. Perry. Does that mean school parties for Diwali, Ashura, Festivus, Al Hijra, Niinamesai, Maidyarem, Losar, and Samhain? Smile when you say that, partner.
The Republican governor also put coal in the stockings of Texas women when he vetoed a bill allowing them to sue for equal pay for equal work. That might be a big political gift for Texas Democrats next Election Day.
Related:
“The Equal Pay Act – Powerful But Not Enough,” Anne Kim, Washington Monthlyblog
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In case you missed it: Experts have determined that, despite the forecasts of evangelical prophet Harold Camping, the world has not ended. You can be sure that fundamentalist ranting has not, either.
Note: The End of the World News is the title of a novel by Anthony Burgess (1917 – 1993). He was inspired by the closing formula solemnly intoned by BBC radio newsreaders: “This is the end of the World News.”
Image by Mike Licht. Download a copy here. Creative Commons license; credit Mike Licht, NotionsCapital.com
Comments are welcome if they are on-topic, substantive, concise, and not boring or obscene. Comments may be edited for clarity and length.
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