What's even worse? If I send this newsletter to anyone I know in this camp, they've been trained to dismiss this take as "not real Christianity." They lost their mirrors (ie their ability to self-reflect) a long time ago.
It is hard to watch people we love ….. family and friends …. Get swallowed up in this cult of hate and evil. To see congregations celebrate Christmas by giving their “pastor” an AK 15 as a Christmas gift and posting his joy on Facebook …. to see family members refuse to read C.S. Lewis’ book “The Screwtape Letters” because it was about two devils talking about seducing man to “evil “ while watching them be seduced by real evil …… it’s hard to watch ….
I often remember a scene in the movie, Oh, God. George Burns, playing the title role, says to a slicked back haired, white suit and shoe wearing, Bible thumping preacher, “I never said that “!
This piece is excellent and makes me think of a shirt I saw advertised on Instagram. It said "I'm a better Christian than 95% of Christians and I'm an Atheist!". That describes me perfectly. I try to live my life by the Golden Rule because it's the right thing to do, not because some imaginary being tells me to.
Amen. I just wish God would shut them down in the here and now. Maybe he will when they face the consequences of their Dear Leader’s policies that will trash our economy and their personal economic and health well being, destroy what is left of the global peace we and our democratic allies have forged since WW II and leave our reputation as a “shining city on a hill” in tatters.
I have just finished reading “They Take It By Force” by Matthew D Taylor. It really is very chilling. The Jesus I know stood for the outcast, the refugee, women, free healthcare and love thy neighbour. These people seem to be motivated by power and influence and will scare everyone into believing them. Hold on tight. Most humans, Christian or otherwise are better than that 🙏
I am uncomfortable with the concept of wishing harm or a comeuppance to even the people who are doing so much harm. I’m not saying I don’t want it, just that it is uncomfortable. I no longer consider myself a person of faith but want to be a good person.
I pray to the God that can change hearts and minds that trump will have a road to Damascus conversion like Saul had. Imagine the impact that could have to see someone abruptly change their heart, mind and actions.
Of all the astounding aspects to the event captured in this photo, his holding (initially upside-down) a Revised Standard Version Bible is the most delicious. I'm a 67 year-old exvangelical. We were taught to despise the people behind the RSV and dismiss their product as heretical. Like so many things lately, it obviously didn't and doesn't matter to MAGA Christians.
That was just beautiful, John. I was raised to know right from wrong and to ALWAYS tell the truth. I actually learned early that any time I lied, it always came back and bite me, well, you know where 🙂 My family never went to church, although my mom was raised catholic she stopped going once they married. A lot of my friends did go to church and it made me wonder what we (my family) were..we weren’t any religion, really. When I asked my mom she said “Just say you are a good Christian.” And so I have tried to be that my entire life….
Maybe we could all walk away from judging others. Any "others." Those we would defend and those who are harming others. I do not at all mean to ignore deny, excuse or accept their actions. I do believe we must stand up with those who are being harmed. And, walk away from condemning anyone. Judge not, lest in your judging, you judge yourself. It's a fine line, but intention makes a difference.
What's even worse? If I send this newsletter to anyone I know in this camp, they've been trained to dismiss this take as "not real Christianity." They lost their mirrors (ie their ability to self-reflect) a long time ago.
It is hard to watch people we love ….. family and friends …. Get swallowed up in this cult of hate and evil. To see congregations celebrate Christmas by giving their “pastor” an AK 15 as a Christmas gift and posting his joy on Facebook …. to see family members refuse to read C.S. Lewis’ book “The Screwtape Letters” because it was about two devils talking about seducing man to “evil “ while watching them be seduced by real evil …… it’s hard to watch ….
I often remember a scene in the movie, Oh, God. George Burns, playing the title role, says to a slicked back haired, white suit and shoe wearing, Bible thumping preacher, “I never said that “!
This piece is excellent and makes me think of a shirt I saw advertised on Instagram. It said "I'm a better Christian than 95% of Christians and I'm an Atheist!". That describes me perfectly. I try to live my life by the Golden Rule because it's the right thing to do, not because some imaginary being tells me to.
Amen. I just wish God would shut them down in the here and now. Maybe he will when they face the consequences of their Dear Leader’s policies that will trash our economy and their personal economic and health well being, destroy what is left of the global peace we and our democratic allies have forged since WW II and leave our reputation as a “shining city on a hill” in tatters.
I have just finished reading “They Take It By Force” by Matthew D Taylor. It really is very chilling. The Jesus I know stood for the outcast, the refugee, women, free healthcare and love thy neighbour. These people seem to be motivated by power and influence and will scare everyone into believing them. Hold on tight. Most humans, Christian or otherwise are better than that 🙏
I am uncomfortable with the concept of wishing harm or a comeuppance to even the people who are doing so much harm. I’m not saying I don’t want it, just that it is uncomfortable. I no longer consider myself a person of faith but want to be a good person.
I pray to the God that can change hearts and minds that trump will have a road to Damascus conversion like Saul had. Imagine the impact that could have to see someone abruptly change their heart, mind and actions.
Of all the astounding aspects to the event captured in this photo, his holding (initially upside-down) a Revised Standard Version Bible is the most delicious. I'm a 67 year-old exvangelical. We were taught to despise the people behind the RSV and dismiss their product as heretical. Like so many things lately, it obviously didn't and doesn't matter to MAGA Christians.
Amen John! Perfectly stated.
Thank you for this essay.
Christians were warned 2000 years ago by Jesus and the disciples of people like Trump and his MAGA cult
MAGA=2 Peter 2
That was just beautiful, John. I was raised to know right from wrong and to ALWAYS tell the truth. I actually learned early that any time I lied, it always came back and bite me, well, you know where 🙂 My family never went to church, although my mom was raised catholic she stopped going once they married. A lot of my friends did go to church and it made me wonder what we (my family) were..we weren’t any religion, really. When I asked my mom she said “Just say you are a good Christian.” And so I have tried to be that my entire life….
They've been mocking God for over forty years and nothing has happened to them yet. I'm not holding my breath.
Maybe we could all walk away from judging others. Any "others." Those we would defend and those who are harming others. I do not at all mean to ignore deny, excuse or accept their actions. I do believe we must stand up with those who are being harmed. And, walk away from condemning anyone. Judge not, lest in your judging, you judge yourself. It's a fine line, but intention makes a difference.
Your post makes me smile to know that others do the same as I do
Mother Nature has become my spiritual sister in my senior years