According to the Associated Press and UPI, the American Bible Society has refused to print an order of Bibles with "Jesus Loves Porn Stars" emblazoned across the cover to be handed out to adult film stars by XXXchurch.com at locations across the country.

The American Bible Society contends that such a statement was inappropriate for a New Testament cover. As a ministry to those so trapped by this filth as to seek it out in public, one cannot blame the outreach for trying though, as frankly up until now there was little the American Bible Society would not allow on the covers of their Bibles.

All in the name of reaching out to the culture, the American Bible Society has published all kinds of gimmicky Bibles over the past few years. One edition of the Contemporary English Version depicts a teen on a skate board hanging-ten, or whatever its called, on the cover.

And this is one of the more sedate editions. Back in 2003, I wrote a column exposing the American Bible Society's Celebrating Jubilee New Testament that depicted Black radicals such as Martin Luther King, Jr. (hardly a Biblical inerrantist despite whatever else commendable that might be said about the man), W.E.B. Dubois (a confirmed Communist), and the Olympic athletes that raised their clenched fists in protest in a disrespectful gesture against the Star Spangled Banner. Other questionable editions included the CEV Kwanzaa New Testament and The CEV Jubilee Bible made up to look like the black, green, and red Pan-African flag.

Thus, the American Bible Society doesn't think it's appropriate to print on a Bible "Jesus Loves Porn Stars" since to do so would appear misleading causing those catching a glimpse of the publication to think smut was being advocated but has had no problem in the past creating the impression that Afro-supremacism and even Communism are O.K. What's next: a Spanish translation with pictures of Fidel Castro, Che Guevara, and Hugo Chavez on the cover?

Frankly, I don't know what I feel about the version with the American Flag and the Statue of Liberty on the cover now available on the ABS website either. As the word of God, why isn't the Bible good enough to sell in a plane old cover anymore?

Though they are a bunch of fanatics, you have to give them credit. You'd never hear about Muslims defiling their sacred text in these manners.

By Frederick Meekins

Frederick Meekins
Issachar Bible Church & Apologetics Research Institute

Biography - Frederick Meekins

Frederick Meekins is an independent theologian and social critic. Frederick holds a BS in Political Science/History, a MA in Apologetics/Christian Philosophy from Trinity Theological Seminary, and a PhD. in Christian Apologetics from Newburgh Theological Seminary.