However, in the Enlightenment, the authority of scripture is strongly challenged, especially when taken literally.
People who were most likely to be hostile towards it were those who believe in God with most certainty, rely most strongly on scripture or religious teaching for guidance, and whose religion has a strong anti-abortion message.
In a message to mark the end of the holy month of Ramadan, he said "the threat to desecrate scriptures is deeply deplorable and to be strongly condemned by all people".
Many of us feel strongly that the death penalty is sanctioned in scripture, allowed in the Constitution, and called for in many situations".
These, he grants, are apparent contradictions, but for the believer they are strongly warranted and justified by the divine testimony of scripture.
They also lay the foundations for a strongly democratic political thought and a deep critique of the pretensions of Scripture and sectarian religion.
Poetry becomes secular scripture.
"We're violating Scripture.
