By Bill Osher
Book Review
By Richard Edward Noble
Bill Osher is an ordained Methodist Minister. He has his PhD in counseling psychology and has been employed as such at a college university.
Politically, Mr. Osher is clearly a Progressive. He helped found the Georgia Progressives. A very lonely endeavor, I would imagine. He now lives in New Mexico and is actively involved in the Democratic Party.
This book is a satirical, rephrasing of many popular Old Bible stories familiar to all Christians. One might say that Professor Bill has modernized and upgraded these tales and placed them in a modern-day, rightest format – telling us these tales as Newt Gingrish might interpret them.
Of course, anyone attempting to use the Bible as a stepping stone to humor is on very dangerous ground. But Mr. Osher manages quite well and makes his points with a laugh. Yet I have no doubt this book will be severely criticized when discovered by political pundits from the opposition.
Mr. Osher, as with many good Christians today, is obviously fed up with the hypocrisy being spewed out by the high volume Christian Right.
This is a short book, a mere 90 pages but I would imagine it took the author some time to put it together. Along with the sarcasm it is also very clever. It took some thought to accomplish.
This book reminds me of the Ferengi 286 Rules of Acquisicion. If you are a Star Wars Fan, you’ll know what I’m talking about. If not give it a Google. Lots of laughs.
A few poignant quotes from the book:
Blessed are the rich for they have labored mightily and thus enjoy God’s favor.
Blessed are the warmongers for they make the weapons industry flourish.
A hand up is a handout.
Charity beginneth and endeth at home.
I like best, though, this quote on the final page by Upton Sinclair:
“It is difficult to get a man to understand something when his job depends on not understanding it.”
I found lots of food for thought in this little volume, though I doubt if any conservatives will feel likewise.
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