There's a Sucker Born Every Minute

 

by Pa Rock

Citizen Journalist

Grifters have used religion to make a quick buck for generations, peddling everything from forgiveness, to salvation, to holy relics, to holy books.  One classic (fictional) religious charlatan was the totally charming Bible salesman, Moses Pray (a.k.a. Ryan O'Neill), who  traveled the dirt roads of the Midwest during the Great Depression selling Bibles to people who could barely afford to put food on their tables.   Moses Pray and his even more charming daughter, Addie (Tatum O'Neill), lit up the big screen in 1973's classic film, Paper Moon.

Selling the written word of God is a dependable scam, one that makes people feel good (for awhile) if they part with their money, and leaves them with a sense of guilt if they don't.

Donald Trump, a politician who compared himself to Jesus multiple times last week, is now helping to peddle Bibles for profit.    In an announcement this week Trump has endorsed a product called "The God Bless the USA Bible," which is being marketed nationally for just one penny under sixty dollars.  It is a slim-line version of the King James Bible that also contains copies of some founding documents of the United States such as the Constitution, Declaration of Independence, and Pledge of Allegiance, in addition to a copy of handwritten  lyrics to  "God Bless the USA," a song by Lee Greenwood which Trump uses at his rallies.  The patriotic version of the Bible is apparently Greenwood's project, but Trump will receive a cut of the profits for his endorsement.  It is the only Bible officially endorsed by Trump.

Praise Jesus!

A Trump autograph would undoubtedly be extra.

Praise Jesus!

In hawking the book Trump said, "All Americans need a Bible in their home, and I have many.  It's my favorite book."

Praise Jesus!

But if sixty bucks is a budget-breaker, you can always wait for the second coming of Moses Pray.  He was far more charming, anyway.

(For those who can't afford the $59.99 price but would still like to get into Heaven, all of the patriotic materials as well as the complete text of the King James Bible can be found FREE on the internet.)