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A good point

June 17th, 2008 · Posted by Skuds in Life · 9 Comments · Life

I am currently reading John O’Farrell’s surprisingly thick history of Britain, and was very taken by this footnote:

The Bible forbade Christians to lend money and so it became the trade of the Jewish diaspora. Modern right-wing Christians citing the Bible’s opposition to homosexuality do not seem to have the same enthusiasm for outlawing the moneylending on which the entire world economy is based.

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9 Comments so far ↓

  • Hiro

    A book I really enjoyed. A witty look at history with some great “caustic” comments.

  • Skuds

    Ah – long time no hear! A welcome return.

  • janeskuds

    I read that on our recent Paris trip (I really couldn’t face the idea of about 6 hours of train travel without a good thick book) and spent a lot of time snorting and giggling. Very funny and not afraid to wear his politics on his sleeve. I’m now trying to hand-sell it to every customer I speak to at work. (Although given term is over thats not very many customers….)

  • Hiro

    I always read your site…one of the best I think. I got booted off Maidenbower after going in as pseudenim. I guess I asked one or two many questions of our ‘enry!!

    I wonder who “Templeton Peck” is!!

  • Gert

    I’ve just finished reading that and found it surprisingly informative – that paragraph also stuck with me. I would definitely recommend it, too!

  • Skuds

    I find the style a bit wearing, but its a good read, and it manages to make history more interesting. I never could put up with all that stuff about kings and queens before.

  • Hiro

    Re Kings and Queens: it show that I probably have more right to the crown than the present incumbent.

    50 people were in front of George I (but they were catholic) and good old queen Vic that “English” Queen did did not speak the language when she took over!!!

  • Skuds

    No spoilers please! I’m only up to Cromwell at the moment.

  • Hiro

    “No spoilers please! I’m only up to Cromwell at the moment.”

    Summed up as a bit of a self centered to55er