How Lincoln Was Dissed

[Gene C]

(08-30-2013 12:38 PM)Liz Rosenthal Wrote:  Gene: You suggest that Lincoln took the Bible literally. I beg to differ. He was not a man consumed with fear of "sin." He was, in fact, among the most tolerant of human beings when it came to differences amongst people and their behaviors. He didn't judge alcoholics, he told off-color jokes (which prompted Lamon's collaborator Chauncey Black to ask Herndon if Lincoln had a "diseased" mind), he never claimed to know what God wanted or that one religion was superior to another. Yes, he took great comfort in the Bible, but there is no credible evidence that he used it to bring the hammer down on "sinners," either in words or deeds. For this reason, among others, he's one 19th century figure I think I could have a modern conversation with.

Anyway, there is more that we can probably learn about Lincoln's sex life and sexuality, but his sexual preference seems to have been thoroughly heterosexual and no prominent Lincoln scholars take seriously the idea that he might have been gay. "Not that there's anything wrong with that," as Jerry Seinfeld cautioned 20 years ago.

I agree with some of the things you've said, but we will just have to disagree on some other things Liz. I'm not sure what you meant by including the Jerry Seinfeld quote, but I give more credence to what God says in the bible abut homosexuality than I do to what Jerry Seinfeld says.

Just as slavery is wrong, there are other types of behavior that are wrong. The bible does teach people can be forgiven of their wrong behavior, if they are truly repentant. But getting back to Lincoln, I'm learning more about his religious beliefs, but there is too much I just don't know. I have read that Lincoln expressed concern that the civil war could be a consequence and God's punishment on the country's permissiveness regarding slavery. I am not sure if you would consider that "fear of sin".
No doubt in my mind he was a very forgiving person. The 2nd inaugural address is a great example of his character.