Why do people constantly feel the need to twist and turn the word of God? Do they realize the affects it could have on society? Why do they do this just to prove a point? Most often times, religious texts are utilized and interpreted in a number of different way in order to fit even the most bizarre beliefs. From slavery and abolitionism to the gay marriage religious texts have been used to prove points. Back in the times of slavery, both the North and the South utilized the bible in order to defend their perspectives. Slaveholders from the south justified their acts by quoting the bible, "tell slaves to be submissive to their masters and to give satisfaction in every respect" (Titus 2:9). This justification was misinterpreted and led to the extreme abuse of the African American population of the time. These slaveholders then used this bible passage as a free pass to dehumanize their "property".
The north interpreted the Bible in a completely different way, however. They utilized passages of equality and freedom in order to prove they were the ones who were correct. The northerners used bible passages like "For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus" (Galatians 3:26-9). By emphasizing that we are all equal under God, it clarified that slavery was going against the word of God and therefore a sin. The Bible is similarly used today with the issue of gay marriage. Because people have opposing views of gay marriage, they have led to use the bible, like in slavery times, to prove their point. People who are opposed to the idea of gay marriage have used literal interpretations of the bible. They use quotes like "You shall not lie with a male as with a...