This week marks the 400th anniversary of the King James Version of the Bible.
It’s considered a masterpiece of English literature, and it’s had considerable impact on the English language. What is it about the King James Version that has even atheists singing its praises? And how does it stand up to newer versions?
Linguist Daniel Midgley gets religion on this week’s Talk the Talk.
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Let’s start with the New York Times:
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/24/weekinreview/24mcgrath.html?_r=1
The AP story is good too.
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/world/7545344.html
Compare Ecclesiastes (or any other verses) in two bible versions:
http://www.biblestudytools.com/parallel-bible/passage.aspx?q=ecclesiastes+1&t=kjv&t2=gnt
Richard Dawkins likes the KJV as literature
http://www.newstatesman.com/religion/2010/12/king-james-bible-poetry-shall
http://www.kingjamesbibletrust.org/news/2010/02/19/richard-dawkins-lends-his-support-to-the-king-james-bible-trust
So does Christopher Hitchens:
http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/features/2011/05/hitchens-201105?currentPage=all
And some people can’t tolerate anything else.
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2009/10/22/pastor-host-halloween-bible-burning-event/
