The New Fundamentalist/Dominionist Beatitudes
Jesus is supposed to have said the following, pronouncing blessings on a number of groups of people, as part of his Sermon on the Mount. Today, though many Christians seem to have misread these verses from Matthew. Right-wing, fundamentalist and dominionist Christians seem to have rewritten the original words to match their particular biases, replacing "Blessed" with "Damned" and changing the blessings to their advantage. Here's how they appear to see The Beatitudes:
Damned are the poor in spirit: for we can take advantage of them. (Matthew 5:3)
Damned are those who mourn: for we shall mock their grief. (5:4)
Damned are the meek: for we can bully them. (5:5)
Damned are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness: for they will be denied. (5:6)
Damned are the merciful: for we will show them no mercy. (5: 7)
Damned are the pure in heart: for they shall be corrupted. (5:8)
Damned are the peacemakers: for they have no guns. (5: 9)
Damned are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake: for they are of a different color. (5:10)
Damned are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account: for we will persecute you without mercy, since you are not like us. 5:11-12
For comparison, here are the original words:
Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven. (Matthew 5:3)
Blessed are those who mourn: for they will be comforted. (5:4)
Blessed are the meek: for they will inherit the earth. (5:5)
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness: for they will be filled. (5:6)
Blessed are the merciful: for they will be shown mercy. (5: 7)
Blessed are the pure in heart: for they will see God. (5:8)
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they will be called children of God. (5: 9)
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (5:10)
Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. 5:11-12
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