The thing about the bible is that once you are at all familiar with it as a collection of very different texts, you understand that it provides justification and rationalization for almost any kind of argument. This is especially the case when you pull quotations out of context as most evangelicals do. As a former Jehovah’s Witness, I am as handy at this play as anyone… so today, some bible verses that appeal to my general mood. Apply the words of the prophet Micah as you will; they are particularly resonant to me.

“And what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” (6:8).

“Your rich men are full of violence; your inhabitants speak lies, and their tongue is deceitful in their mouth” (6:12).

“The godly man has perished from the earth, and there is none upright among men; they all lie in wait for blood, and each hunts his brother with a net” (7:2).

“The earth will be desolate because of its inhabitants, for the fruit of their doings” (7:13).

“The nations shall see and be ashamed of their might” (7:16).