In a Costco store in Simi Valley, CA, thousands of Bibles carried stickers that read, Fiction $14.99.
Fiction, of course, is something that is not true.
As reported by Fox News and other sources ( http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2013/11/18/costco-bible-is fiction/?intcmp=obnetwork ), someone at Costco said the placement of the “Fiction” stickers on the Bible was a “human error” that has since been “fixed.” Then they clammed up about it altogether.
I visited my local Costco to see if they were labeling the Bible as fiction there, but there they didn’t have any Bibles at all.
Has Richard Dawkins been named CEO of Costco? Was it just some sophomoric atheist in the stockroom playing a childish joke? Or could it have been someone who reasoned that, since Americans treat the Bible as fiction, it might as well be labeled fiction?
When I think “fiction,” I think of the giants of fiction and fantasy–Al Gore, Bill and Hillary Clinton, and that arch-fictioneer in the White House, whose “If you like your current health insurance plan, you can keep it” ranks as one of the all-time great works of fantasy. Betcha Costco has all of them labeled Non-fiction.
Meanwhile, I heed St. Paul’s advice: “Let God be true, but every man a liar” (Romans 3:4).
Update: As of today, Costco has “apologized” for labeling the Bible fiction.
But who is going to apologize for treating it like fiction?
Signs of the times! Betcha none of those who claim the Bible is fiction have ever read it. Sort of like the U.S. Constitution. Ignorance can be folly.
Dorothy, is the bible really true? How do you know? Would you be willing to stand in a court of law and say that, yes, Jonah did in fact spend three days in the belly of a great fish?
I don’t know about you, but yes! I would stand in a court of law and proclaim that every word in Scripture is true. You have to become enlightened by the Holy Spirit before you can “see” spiritual things- as they are only discerned spiritually.
Costco, you know, hires muslims who make sure the meat is halal. I will not buy their meat, do not trust their employees and would not even set foot inside that place if it were all up to me. FICTION, indeed! Wisdom does not come until there is “fear of the Lord”. No matter how much I.Q, education (by the world), good intention, etc. etc. without wisdom to use the gifts, they are not worth much in the end.
Somehow, the first thing that came to mind, upon reading this was Isaiah 5:20 “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness; Who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!”
In a world filled with “fake news” and propaganda, I think that the Bible holds up remarkably well. Its principles work well. Strong families make for strong communities. Putting the interests of others ahead of your own helps society towards fairness and true equality.
While some events may seem incredible, keep in mind that the Bible reveals our Creator. The causative force of the Universe holds power beyond our comprehension. He created the laws governing the physical realm and He can cause events which are impossible from our perspective.
Far fetched? No more far fetched than the fact that any of the physical realm exists. At some point, it all boils down to order or disorder and I see order all around me. If the source of this order chooses to reveal Himself by means of a book, I’m willing to pay attention.
One last point, the Bible makes predictions and these hold up. Thousands of years ago, it was predicted that Israel would be dispersed, that the Israelite people would live a harrying existence in diaspora and would eventually be regathered. It was predicted that they would be surrounded by hostile nations but would survive because of God’s deliverance.
Several times, since 1948, this restored nation has survived existential threats, including an attack by five nations on the day after they declared their independence. In spite of having no true army, they somehow prevailed against long odds and survived several other wars since then.
Take a wide angle view of the Middle East, of the activity in Syria, Turkey, Iran and Lebanon and it becomes obvious that this issue will be decided once and for all, probably very soon. If Israel is put out of existence, then those whom scoff at the Bible will have had their day. However, if Israel survives, the Bible will be proven before the eyes of the world.
This isn’t about Israel’s righteousness or the support of their secular government. It is about a promise made to Abram thousands of years ago, and the vindication of the very name of The One True God, Yahweh.
I would conclude it was a mistake or a prank since it did not happen in any of their other stores. In my Speech class at U of Arkansas, the teacher said the Bible was not allowed as an authoritative source – HA!
A lot of collidge prefessers like to show off their atheism. Makes ’em feel smart.