Why I don't go to church anymore, continued

I'm not one of these fundamentalists who believes every single word in the Bible was handed down by the Lord himself, but I have no time for those who would mess with Christians' most sacred book in the name of political correctness, either. And unfortunately, the Church in which I was raised is one of the worst offenders:

But now the 23rd Psalm, undoubtedly the best-known and best-loved in the English language, has had a makeover.

In a new version published by the Church of England, the words: "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil" are replaced by: "Even if a full-scale violent confrontation breaks out I will not be afraid, Lord." The new version shares with the traditional one the opening line "The Lord is my shepherd", but the psalmist goes on: "He lets me see a country of justice and peace and directs me towards this land" and that His "shepherd's power and love protect me" - instead of "thy rod and thy staff they comfort me".

The 23rd Psalm, rewritten by Pastor Kameeta, of Namibia, is included in the book Pocket Prayers For Justice And Peace, which has been compiled by the charity Christian Aid and will be published in October by Church House Publishing, the Church's books division. A Church House spokesman said: "It is not the Church's new official version of the 23rd Psalm. All the prayers are focused on issues such as debt, the developing world and fair trade.

What's next? A new version of Genesis, in which the forbidden fruit is deemed a genetically modified organism?

(via Tim Blair)

Posted by damian at June 2, 2004 06:36 AM