Where did this happen? Nope, not Alabama, though that is an excellent guess, and one that suggests you've been paying attention to my ravings. This particular travesty, however, occured in Texas, another bizzarly named, yet masculine and Jesus-adoring, red state.
More details here, including this nugget of joy:
[Haynes, the lawyer] said his client recently quoted to him a Bible verse in the book of Matthew that he said he believes influenced her actions.We think lawyer-man is correct. The verse does not appear to demand the amputation of a child's arm. However we must remind you that we're Jewish, not Christian, so we will not be offended if you choose to consult with your local snake-handling preacher. However, be warned: Fundamentalist Christianity has the nasty and somewhat dangerous habit of encouraging believers to take the Bible literally.
The verse Schlosser told him was: "If thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell."
Haynes said he believes his client might have taken the passage literally.
"I'm not a theologian, but I think the meaning is: If anything gets between you and your faith, get rid of it. It doesn't mean take a meat cleaver and cut something off," he said.
This is not acceptable. If it continues, we must act. If the masculine and jesus-adoring people of Texas refuse to take the bible figurativly, we must ban its study in the lone star state. Or at least smack a warning label on it.
You know, for the sake of the children.