LIFE'S BETTER IN THE MOUNTAINS

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Hold My Chicken Leg While I Burn This Bible

No Trick-or-Treating for these folks. At 7:00 on Halloween night members of tiny Amazing Grace Baptist Church in nearby Canton, North Carolina, will gather to perform an ancient (and illegal) ritual. You may have heard about them. They certainly have tried to out-Gosselin the Gosselins in attracting the media. Why, you might ask, are the Associated Press, national newspapers and television networks, and even the UK Telegraph, so interested in this little pastor and this little church?

Some call it the "Bonfire of the Profanities." Pastor Marc announced a burning of Bibles that are not the King James Version (KJV). He maintains that the KJV is the true word of God and that all other translations of the Bible are satanic. During the past month Pastor Marc and his followers have been gathering the "satanic" versions of the scripture along with sermons, books, and music they consider satanic as well. Writings include those by Mother Theresa, Billy Graham, the Pope. It might seem a bit strange to include Billy Graham since he is a very popular evangelical preacher from the NC mountains. However, he has occasionally used bibles that were not the KJV so his words have lost their Christian context. Contemporary Christian music will be added to the fire.



A scripture reference always provides the explanation for the actions. In this case, the church uses Acts 19:18-20 to justify their Bible burning. "And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds. Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver. So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed."

This photograph of the church is taken from their Web site:



This photograph is Pastor Marc in an interview with an AP reporter.




It is of note that this Bible burning celebration will include a fried chicken dinner with "all the fixin's." The visual of tossing a Bible into the fire while holding on to a piece of fried chicken is almost too much, isn't it?
---------------The bonfire is NOT open to the public. Only church members and others invited by the Pastor will be allowed to attend. Anyone else will be considered trespassing.
---------------While this post is written tongue-in-cheek, there is a serious part of me that is very frightened to be sharing my world with people who so fervently believe only they are correct.
---------------I feel the need to clarify a couple of things. For the most part, the citizens of Canton are just like the citizens of every other little mountain town. Secondly, this "Baptist" church is not a part of any other group of Baptist churches...it is yet another little independent church that names itself baptist. Anyone can start a baptist church around here...just find a meeting place, a preacher, and a couple of families and you have your own baptist church. Oh, you'll also need a collection plate.

29 comments:

Cedar ... said...

Good post. scary,.... very scary.

Anonymous said...

Those who think they have all the answers don't ask many questions.

Odd that the version they're touting was ordered by a King (government interference!) and wasn't even a "Protestant" translation. According to this site, it isn't the one our founding fathers used.

http://www.greatsite.com/timeline-english-bible-history/ :

Rudee said...

I love the title.

Lynne at Hasty Brook said...

Your title point to the rediculousness of this act of a small group. That said, it IS disturbing. It's another example of people acting out of fear/hate.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Good Gosh Carolyn.... I think I have read about this 'nut' and his antics.... Guess that's why we live in a free country, huh????? We all have our thoughts and opinions--but burning all Bibles except King James is carrying things to EXTREME, don't you think?????

Seems like those 'Christians' would be happy that people would want to read the Bible --no matter which version. We are all different and we all find "GOD" in many different ways.... Mercy Me---can't believe that people 'follow' that guy... God is probably shaking his head in dismay right now!!!!

Hugs,
Betsy

Donna said...

Interesting...and a bit sad to think people actually think like this.

KB said...

I love the title also! But, while it's easy to laugh about it, I agree with your ending. It is scary when people lose all reason because they believe that they *alone* are right about something.

Sam said...

I agree with KB. I laughed at first, but honestly, it's hard to believe that people can be so fanatical in their beliefs.

The Bug said...

It really is frightening - especially given that the King James version of the Bible isn't terribly accurate. Isn't it idolatry to put so much trust in something a man created?

I used to drive by Canton on my way to work every day (lived in Waynesville & worked in Asheville).

Vicki Lane said...

Great post title! I read this article elsewhere -- aye, law. what can I say!

Maybe we should all pray for them.

Ruth said...

I wonder if they burn Bibles which have been translated into the many other languages of the world? Do the French, Italians, Spanish, etc, etc have to read the KJV too? Very disturbing indeed, especially for children who are being raised to believe this is right.

Busy Bee Suz said...

These types of folks are really frightening...even without costumes.

ps. Your title: Made my day...so funny.

Janet said...

Always good to know where the crazies are - that way, we can keep far away from them!

robin andrea said...

Great post and hilarious title. How small the minds must be to think such an action has some intended meaning.

Cheryl said...

Great title....made me dash over straight away...

I must say I am lost for words. I am a christian, and follow my faith quietly. I do not preach, it is not my place, we all have our own views.

I have to say I do not understand this man at all, and it is indeed very worrying. I am glad he does not live in my village......

D.K. Wall said...

And we try so hard to paint a modern of our county - and this. But the true goal, no question, is the publicity he is gaining out of this. That is why he wants to be so outrageous by including Graham, etc.

Fay Campbell said...

This isn't just sad, it's truly insane.

Fay Campbell said...

I very much enjoy your blog.
I also moved to the mountains of NC from Milwaukee a few years ago. Physically I'm now in SC, but part of my heart still lives on that ridge.

George said...

I like the title you gave this post -- it rather puts things in perspective. I hadn't heard of this particular church, but I find the whole thing sad. When we lived in Montreat, Billy Graham lived up the road from us. If he (and Mother Theresa) aren't Christian, I seriously doubt if anyone else is.

Barb said...

Hi Carolyn. I must have been hiding under a rock lately - I haven't heard of this before. Censorship of any kind is abhorrent to me and book burning (of any kind) is frightful. We supposedly don't live in the Dark Ages, but I guess some people must still find scapegoats for evil instead of looking into their own hearts.

KGMom said...

Oh my--I was drawn to your blog title, but didn't see where it was going to go. Oh my.

A number of years ago, I read that wonderful book God's Secretaries: The Making of the King James Bible. I heartily recommend to all--and frankly, Rev. Marc would be shocked to know how his perfect Bible came about.

Jayne said...

I saw him on the local news here, and also cringed. It's really quite sad, isn't it? To think that there are people who truly believe this drivel, and will be led to participate in something like this is rather scary indeed.

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Carolyn: This is awful, these people will get their just reward. It reminds me of some other cults that met bad ends.

Anonymous said...

Some Bible Quotes for Mark,

Micah 4:3-5 "...they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree; and none shall make them afraid: for the mouth of the LORD of hosts hat spoken it. For all people will walk every one in the name of his god, and we will walk in the name of the LORD our God for ever and ever." (KJV)

Mark 9:38-40 "...we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbade him, because he followeth not us. But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me. For he that is not against us is on our part." (KJV)

NCmountainwoman said...

Thanks for your comments, everyone. I've oftened wondered if life is more simple if you have all the answers.

Ruth - According to the Website foreign language translations are fine so long as they are translations of the King James Version.

Duchess - I fear we only know about these particular crazies. There are plenty more of them out there.

Fay - Thanks for dropping by. Interesting that you also moved between the Carolinas and Milwaukee.

Science guy - I knew you would research some quotes. Thanks, but I believe these folks have "selective" interpretation of all the scriptures.

Janie said...

when someone feels the need to destroy the words or thoughts of others, I wonder what they fear so much...
Scary to live closer than a few states away from that group.

troutbirder said...

Fanaticism, in any form, is abhorent to me.

Brenda Kay Ledford said...

Oh, my, Carolyn. I just didn't realize a little church like that existed in Canton. So close to my own home. Thanks for shedding light on this. What a shocking practice. Never heard of anything like that. Have a Happy Halloween.

Twisted Fencepost said...

That's the glory of living in a free country.
They have the freedom of bible burning.
And we have the freedom to refuse to believe their way.
I can't imagine burning a Bible. Seems like a sin to me.
And why does it have to be private? Have they something more to hide? Or just trying to avoid the press?