Clinging to Archie Bunker’s god
Due to time restraints caused by my moving out-of-state, Skeptical Faith blogs are, as they say in show biz, “encore presentations.” This one was published in 2018.
Archie Bunker, the character masterfully played by the late Carroll O’Conner in the 1970s TV comedy “All in the Family,” had his own take on the traditional Christian doctrine of the inerrancy of the Bible.
“God don’t make no mistakes,” declared Archie. “That’s how he got to be God.”
For those too young to remember Archie, who in 2005 was listed as number 1 on Bravo’s 100 Greatest TV Characters, Wikipedia says Bunker was characterized by his bigotry towards “… blacks, Hispanics, “Commies,” gays, hippies, Jews, Asians, Catholics, “women’s libbers,” and Polish-Americans….”
Bunker was presented as a Christian, however, and “… often misquotes the Bible. He takes pride in being religious, although he rarely attends church services ….”
Recent Newspaper Column
I imagine that an anonymous contributor to a recent newspaper column is an “Archie Bunker.” He had this to say about a couple accused of mistreating their foster child.
“I believe in an ‘eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth!’ The family that abused and tortured their foster child should receive the same treatment!” It was signed “Equal Justice.”
Where did this writer’s “belief” come from? The “eye for an eye” quote is from the Book of Exodus in the Hebrew Bible, so the writer appears to be appealing to religion to justify his views.
Compensation That Exceeds Damages
But scripture scholars say the Exodus phrase is meant to prohibit compensation that exceeds the damage, that the injured party may require no more than that. There was no requirement that the injured party seek any compensation, in fact.
But if “Equal Justice” is a Christian, he would be bound by Jesus’ take on the phrase.
“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, do not resist one who is evil. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also….”
Jesus, writes scripture scholar Alexander Jones, editor of the famous Jerusalem Bible, is using vigorous and colorful language to get across his point. Jesus himself didn’t “turn the other cheek” when he was assaulted by the Roman soldiers but instead asked his Father to forgive them. He “subordinates strict justice to generous charity (love).”
Popular “Wisdom”
It’s interesting how so many of us substitute popular “wisdom” – Archie Bunker’s and the kind you see on bumper stickers – for the teachings of Jesus. Popular wisdom likes a Jesus who would say “America, right or wrong;” who would describe the poor as lazy and interested only in a free ride; who would easily jump to conclusions about the guilt of others with phrases like “lock ‘em up.”
Popular wisdom likes the plastic Jesus, the one whose countenance is portrayed in countless images as bland and melancholy, who understands and approves of our prejudices, our clinging to popular beliefs instead of his actual teaching.
It’s clear to me, at least, that people searching for God won’t find him/her in Archie Bunker’s god.
