In a recent interview, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said the Bible was and continues to be the biggest influence on her thinking. When a reporter asked Clinton to name one book that made her the woman she is today, she said, “At the risk of appearing predictable, the Bible was and remains the biggest influence on my thinking. I was raised reading it, memorizing passages from it and being guided by it. I still find it a source of wisdom, comfort and encouragement.”
Clinton’s response received praises from certain quarters.
However, some scoffed at her response, saying Clinton is far from religious and contradicted herself by referring to the Bible.
“How do you believe in God and support abortion? Killing babies is premeditated murder. They are people, you know,” wrote one commentator while another said, “Apparently Hillary Clinton didn’t read the verses about lying and bearing false witness.”
In April, Clinton spoke about her Methodist upbringing, while delivering a speech at the United Methodist Women’s Assembly, which was organized in Kentucky where more than 7,000 women gathered to discuss spiritual and social issues.
“I have always cherished the Methodist Church because it gave us the great gift of personal salvation but also the great obligation of social gospel… And I took that very seriously and have tried, tried to be guided in my own life ever since as an advocate for children and families, for women and men around the world who are oppressed and persecuted, denied their human rights and human dignity,” Clinton had said.
RT If you love this quote by @HillaryClinton on how the Bible was and remains an influence on her life #Faith4Hillary pic.twitter.com/tYitxKuxyM
— FaithVoters4Hillary (@Faith4Hillary) June 14, 2014
Yet, Pastor Bryan Ridenour wrote on his blog titled America Look Up, earlier this year, that he would not support Clinton if she runs for president in 2016 because her stance contradicts the word of God.
“If a church member asks in 2016 if I can support Hillary Clinton, I can unequivocally respond, ‘Not in this lifetime… If we vote for leaders who support abortion on demand, then we essentially hold the surgical knife that strips life from the womb. If we vote for leaders who support and champion gay marriage, we in effect officiate at their ceremonies. God holds us accountable for what we do behind the voting booth curtain,” he wrote.
