For centuries, society has treated the Bible as the ultimate north star for human behavior. However, looking at the trajectory of history and the state of modern discourse, it’s becoming increasingly clear: the Bible isn’t a moral compass, and it never will be.
While it contains passages about love and kindness, so does Harry Potter or any other work of fiction. The “morality” people find in these pages is almost always a result of personal bias. We don’t find our morals in the book; we project our own existing values onto the text and call it “inspiration.”
The Danger of the “Ownerless” Text
The fundamental flaw of the Bible is that it comes with no instructions. The writers never explained how to interpret the metaphors, how to apply ancient laws to modern life, or how to read it without causing harm.
Because it lacks a clear framework for interpretation, it has become the ultimate tool for manipulation. This is exactly what we are seeing with Alvin Aragon, who has recently trended on social media for his vitriolic rhetoric. Aragon is a case study in how the Bible can be weaponized to suit homophobic and sexist agendas. By twisting the text to justify hate, he proves that the book is less of a guide and more of a mirror for one’s own prejudices.
A History Written in Blood
This isn’t a new phenomenon. History is littered with examples of the Bible being used as a justification for mass violence and systemic oppression. When a text can be interpreted a thousand different ways, it is easily turned into a battle cry.
- The Crusades: For centuries, European powers launched brutal wars against the Middle East, using biblical rhetoric to justify the slaughter of thousands in the name of reclaiming the “Holy Land.”
- The Transatlantic Slave Trade: Many enslavers used specific biblical passages (like the “Curse of Ham”) to argue that slavery was divinely ordained. They used the book to brainwash the enslaved into submission and to ease the consciences of the oppressors.
- The Inquisition: Ecclesiastical courts used scripture to justify the torture and execution of “heretics,” using fear and suffering to maintain religious purity and political control.
From Scripture to Cult Control
This pattern continues today through the rise of dangerous cults, many of which are rooted in Abrahamic traditions. These groups thrive on the Bible’s ambiguity. Leaders use the text to:
- Cast Fear: Using “hellfire and brimstone” to paralyze followers.
- Enforce Suffering: Convincing members that their pain is “God’s will.”
- Brainwash: Stripping away individual agency to serve the leader’s personal desires.
If the Bible were intended to guide humanity toward a better future, it wouldn’t be the primary source of so much historical and modern-day trauma. It wasn’t designed to lead us toward empathy; it was designed—or at least utilized—to consolidate power by casting fear into the hearts of others.
True morality doesn’t come from ancient, ambiguous texts. It comes from our shared human capacity for reason, compassion, and the courage to call out hate, even when it’s wrapped in “holy” packaging.
