This is a good column John, but one reason these MAGA “Christians” can support a predator is because they have been enabling similar pedophiles for decades. How many people have been abused inside churches because their fellow parishioners blame the victim and say “hate the sin, love the sinner?“
But, that's just it. They don't hate the sin, love the sinner, unless he's part of their tribe (cult). I listened to scott bessent on a morning news show yesterday and he was asked point blank if tariffs are a tax. Of course he said no. I decided to look up his bio to see how he qualified for his position with trump and learned he is openly gay with two children from surrogacy. Pete Buttigieg is similar and the right wing loathes him to the point that they'd love to have his children taken away and he arrested for whatever made up charges they could get away with. But he's in the wrong tribe so his "sin" should be punished. It's disgusting how they pick and choose when to "hate the sin but love the sinner" if it's convenient for them and one of their own.
A former neighbor and former friend, a very "devout" Catholic, was on a one man "mission" from God to eradicate same sex marriage with the "clever" "God created Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve" sticker proudly displayed on the bumpers of his car, carefully peeled from one to the next. Not only did he and his wife openly support trump, charlie kirk, and republicans, they still support them now, after all the disgusting things are revealed. How they square this with Jesus' teachings and the Ten Commandments is beyond my capability to understand. The knots they tie themselves into to ignore all the monstrous things trump, kirk and republicans have done is truly a wonder to behold.
One point of view that might throw some additional light on your question it that humans have been shown to highly value the mores, style, and opinions of their peers, holding them above many other things. In other words, they are 'tribal' in their loyalties. I imagine that loyalty to leaders of questionable morals and perspectives echoes and amplifies this tendency. A person who aspires to a truly spiritually awake and aware life must dare to stand alone, if necessary, sacrificing the comforts of conformity to those of adhering as best they can to the truth.
John, you also know that they think supporting a bad person as a leader is biblically approved if it brings about a biblical world. I wanna say they think fuckface is David or Darius - I barely pay attention - and even though he's a bad person, he does things for Christian nationalism which excuses all his personal evil. In other words, as long as he's hurting the people we hate who cares who he is.
So well said, John, as always. My brain keeps asking the questions, "why, why, why?" and "how, how, how" (is it possible that enough Americans believe this man is worthy of the role of Leader of the Free World)? That's the scariest part of all to me. One man can be a narcissistic sociopath, but how can millions of self-proclaimed "good" people fall for his lies and tolerate his vitriolic speech?
"...how can millions of self-proclaimed "good" people fall for his lies and tolerate his vitriolic speech"...and justify or ignore his many many many many many abuses and crimes?
I often remind myself, those who put him in office were/are not, in fact, the majority. We must do a better job of living out-loud the civil discourse we are missing now. We must persuade those who didn't vote to step up.
I think that a percentage of Trump supporters are single issue voters who want abortion banned. They ignore every negative, ugly quality and action of Trump because ... abortion.
Exactly so--he sincerely cares about nothing, NOTHING moral that is. His own agendas are his only interest, and he will use and dupe and exploit everyone to achieve them.
YES! We absolutely need a different, more compassionate administration. Because none of these things will come into -- or RETURN into -- being under the present shit show. Even sans tRUMP, if he should keel over soon, we'll be equally bad off with Vance and his new disgustingly slimy smarmy squeeze, Erika Kirk, who may be even worse and more dangerous than Mad Mango Faux-King the Malevolent.
Yes! I have been saying this from the start. And no Democrats will address those millions of voters. Their concern is real to them, and especially those who are Catholic - so they follow the Pope and their Church, and Evangelical Protestants - who truly believe what their pastors interpret from Scripture. (Which, BTW, has been bought and paid for by politicians.) How do we help those voters recognize that criminalizing women and their doctors is not the way to end abortion? If we can get back to separating church and state, and get the government out of healthcare decisions, maybe we can have some rational discussions about abortion?
For me this is an issue of separation of church and state. No one is forcing Catholic or Evangelical Americans to use artificial contraception or to have abortions. No one. They are free to hold their beliefs and free to engage in efforts to persuade others to change their position.
There are studies confirming that sexuality education that promotes abstinence is not effective. There are studies that demonstrate that access to contraception (which decades of use as well as the development of safer pills) reduces unplanned pregnancies.
I would hope that those facts are starting points for constructive communication.
Good article. I’m thinking about sharing it, as many of your articles, I hope it might give perspective to my MAGA family members. As I read, however, I recognize the problem being that they see Democrats as supporting the evil in the world. They are convinced that Biden and Obama were truly evil, and that they are standing up to the Devil. I guess they believe the devil is creating a false narrative of the Savior tRump. Isn’t that what the Pharisees did to Jesus?
Nationally, it started with Jimmy Swaggart and Pat Robertson. Especially, Jimmy Swaggart. When he was let off the hook and the women involved were turned into Jezebels, THEN was welcomed back into leadership (rather than following what scripture said was supposed to happen) and all my church-going brothers and sisters were just fine with it because he'd begged for forgiveness, I knew my time in the church was about to end.
Jimmy Swaggart was ordained in the Assemblies of God church for years. However, due to the prosititution scandal, he was defrocked by his church for refusing to comply with their requirements that he, despite his popularity and size of his following, be suspended from preaching for a year or two. To his church's credit, they recognized the sin and responded. Swaggart, however, left that church and probably became independent. I used to follow him while in my 20's. I used to buy his 33 1/3 rpm long play albums for my record player. Great singer (my opinion). I'm just shy of 70 now. I still feel the pain of that whole event.
I stand corrected. I was in the AOG at the time and recall his lack of repentance and the whole mess around it. You're right about him refusing to take correction from the church he led, and I think that's what I remember and how many of my fellow AOGs seemed fine with it.
The most strenuous reasoning for me is that these acts are in the eyes of any religion abhorrent and illegal. AND people of good moral character should never allow ignorance or avoiding knowing them give any approval at all. Even more so anyone who calls themselves a Christian. Christ's supposed admonition to those stoning a woman who was caught in adultery were about their judgement of her and does not give anyone the right to do evil acts against children or anyone without their consent. He said told her go and sin no more. Our laws don't allow pediphiles or adultery or sex trafficking so why would we forgive them until they paid the price on Earth for their sins?
The folks who still call themselves “Christian” but embrace the MAGA mentality and lust for personal power are NOT true loyal and committed DISCIPLES (followers) of the teaching and promise Jesus Christ.
I have been meaning to send postcards to several people in Washington with that quote from Mark on it for quite a while. Maybe I could finally get them out of here and to D.C. before the vote comes up. Of course the post office might "lose" them, but I can give it a shot.
The one issue I would take with the article is that right wing people who self-identify as Christian do not actually follow Jesus example or his teachings. If, as the old song says, we will know they are Christians by their love, what should we conclude about people who do not demonstrate love? Or if they do, they do it to a very small circle of people most like themselves. "Faith" without works is dead.
They’re going to think Trump has been unfairly hounded out of office by sinners who have been out to get him for years. And they’re going to point out that ending abortion is worth it, that murdered babies are the real victims. Plus sex with very young women and girls is sanctioned by the Bible. Megyn Kelly actually said that a 15-year-old girl isn’t the same as a 5-year-old child. That’s more or less how I think these so-called Christians justify defending Trump.
None are so dedicated and blind as those who refuse to see. Most people construe absolute unwavering loyalty as a virtue -- witness Vietnam War protest days and the counter-protestors waving signs saying "My Country Right or Wrong" -- and damn all moral or ethical conundrums, full speed ahead. This absolutism applies to everything in their lives --without critical analysis, balance, or moral and ethical integrity considerations. This is "ignorance is bliss" in action -- no thinking required "I know what I believe so bugger off!"
On Judgement Day they'll all be explaining what you mentioned in your post. They'll also answer for their efforts to suppress the "truth" when they were exposed to the light of day..
Sadly, the regime appears to be using a borrowed playbook right now...
This is a good column John, but one reason these MAGA “Christians” can support a predator is because they have been enabling similar pedophiles for decades. How many people have been abused inside churches because their fellow parishioners blame the victim and say “hate the sin, love the sinner?“
Exactly! True Christians should despise evil at all times. From presidents to Pedophiles!
But, that's just it. They don't hate the sin, love the sinner, unless he's part of their tribe (cult). I listened to scott bessent on a morning news show yesterday and he was asked point blank if tariffs are a tax. Of course he said no. I decided to look up his bio to see how he qualified for his position with trump and learned he is openly gay with two children from surrogacy. Pete Buttigieg is similar and the right wing loathes him to the point that they'd love to have his children taken away and he arrested for whatever made up charges they could get away with. But he's in the wrong tribe so his "sin" should be punished. It's disgusting how they pick and choose when to "hate the sin but love the sinner" if it's convenient for them and one of their own.
A former neighbor and former friend, a very "devout" Catholic, was on a one man "mission" from God to eradicate same sex marriage with the "clever" "God created Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve" sticker proudly displayed on the bumpers of his car, carefully peeled from one to the next. Not only did he and his wife openly support trump, charlie kirk, and republicans, they still support them now, after all the disgusting things are revealed. How they square this with Jesus' teachings and the Ten Commandments is beyond my capability to understand. The knots they tie themselves into to ignore all the monstrous things trump, kirk and republicans have done is truly a wonder to behold.
One point of view that might throw some additional light on your question it that humans have been shown to highly value the mores, style, and opinions of their peers, holding them above many other things. In other words, they are 'tribal' in their loyalties. I imagine that loyalty to leaders of questionable morals and perspectives echoes and amplifies this tendency. A person who aspires to a truly spiritually awake and aware life must dare to stand alone, if necessary, sacrificing the comforts of conformity to those of adhering as best they can to the truth.
EXCELLENT! Exactly right and extremely well-said on all points made.
It started with that Access Hollywood tape. And his mocking a differently-abled man. He showed his true colors right there.
John, you also know that they think supporting a bad person as a leader is biblically approved if it brings about a biblical world. I wanna say they think fuckface is David or Darius - I barely pay attention - and even though he's a bad person, he does things for Christian nationalism which excuses all his personal evil. In other words, as long as he's hurting the people we hate who cares who he is.
Oooo ouch! You nailed it perfectly.
Would the saying, "The enemy of my enemy is my friend" apply here?
So well said, John, as always. My brain keeps asking the questions, "why, why, why?" and "how, how, how" (is it possible that enough Americans believe this man is worthy of the role of Leader of the Free World)? That's the scariest part of all to me. One man can be a narcissistic sociopath, but how can millions of self-proclaimed "good" people fall for his lies and tolerate his vitriolic speech?
Propaganda works.
"...how can millions of self-proclaimed "good" people fall for his lies and tolerate his vitriolic speech"...and justify or ignore his many many many many many abuses and crimes?
I often remind myself, those who put him in office were/are not, in fact, the majority. We must do a better job of living out-loud the civil discourse we are missing now. We must persuade those who didn't vote to step up.
I think that a percentage of Trump supporters are single issue voters who want abortion banned. They ignore every negative, ugly quality and action of Trump because ... abortion.
You are correct. And they are very wrong to have thought he actually cares about abortion.
Trump's interest in any issue is how he can benefit-in this case it was votes.
Exactly so--he sincerely cares about nothing, NOTHING moral that is. His own agendas are his only interest, and he will use and dupe and exploit everyone to achieve them.
There are so many ways that our country could work on reproductive rights:
Support medically accurate and age appropriate sexuality education;
Access to all methods of contraception ( at low cost) so that people can make their own informed decisions about the
best method for their lives;
Low cost childcare for families and expanded parental leave.
For those we will need a different, more compassionate administration.
YES! We absolutely need a different, more compassionate administration. Because none of these things will come into -- or RETURN into -- being under the present shit show. Even sans tRUMP, if he should keel over soon, we'll be equally bad off with Vance and his new disgustingly slimy smarmy squeeze, Erika Kirk, who may be even worse and more dangerous than Mad Mango Faux-King the Malevolent.
Yes! I have been saying this from the start. And no Democrats will address those millions of voters. Their concern is real to them, and especially those who are Catholic - so they follow the Pope and their Church, and Evangelical Protestants - who truly believe what their pastors interpret from Scripture. (Which, BTW, has been bought and paid for by politicians.) How do we help those voters recognize that criminalizing women and their doctors is not the way to end abortion? If we can get back to separating church and state, and get the government out of healthcare decisions, maybe we can have some rational discussions about abortion?
For me this is an issue of separation of church and state. No one is forcing Catholic or Evangelical Americans to use artificial contraception or to have abortions. No one. They are free to hold their beliefs and free to engage in efforts to persuade others to change their position.
There are studies confirming that sexuality education that promotes abstinence is not effective. There are studies that demonstrate that access to contraception (which decades of use as well as the development of safer pills) reduces unplanned pregnancies.
I would hope that those facts are starting points for constructive communication.
Your question: How do Christians align with rapists?
The Answer: They aren't Christians.
Good article. I’m thinking about sharing it, as many of your articles, I hope it might give perspective to my MAGA family members. As I read, however, I recognize the problem being that they see Democrats as supporting the evil in the world. They are convinced that Biden and Obama were truly evil, and that they are standing up to the Devil. I guess they believe the devil is creating a false narrative of the Savior tRump. Isn’t that what the Pharisees did to Jesus?
Nationally, it started with Jimmy Swaggart and Pat Robertson. Especially, Jimmy Swaggart. When he was let off the hook and the women involved were turned into Jezebels, THEN was welcomed back into leadership (rather than following what scripture said was supposed to happen) and all my church-going brothers and sisters were just fine with it because he'd begged for forgiveness, I knew my time in the church was about to end.
Jimmy Swaggart was ordained in the Assemblies of God church for years. However, due to the prosititution scandal, he was defrocked by his church for refusing to comply with their requirements that he, despite his popularity and size of his following, be suspended from preaching for a year or two. To his church's credit, they recognized the sin and responded. Swaggart, however, left that church and probably became independent. I used to follow him while in my 20's. I used to buy his 33 1/3 rpm long play albums for my record player. Great singer (my opinion). I'm just shy of 70 now. I still feel the pain of that whole event.
I stand corrected. I was in the AOG at the time and recall his lack of repentance and the whole mess around it. You're right about him refusing to take correction from the church he led, and I think that's what I remember and how many of my fellow AOGs seemed fine with it.
The most strenuous reasoning for me is that these acts are in the eyes of any religion abhorrent and illegal. AND people of good moral character should never allow ignorance or avoiding knowing them give any approval at all. Even more so anyone who calls themselves a Christian. Christ's supposed admonition to those stoning a woman who was caught in adultery were about their judgement of her and does not give anyone the right to do evil acts against children or anyone without their consent. He said told her go and sin no more. Our laws don't allow pediphiles or adultery or sex trafficking so why would we forgive them until they paid the price on Earth for their sins?
Good points in this column. Thank you for voicing them.
The folks who still call themselves “Christian” but embrace the MAGA mentality and lust for personal power are NOT true loyal and committed DISCIPLES (followers) of the teaching and promise Jesus Christ.
I have been meaning to send postcards to several people in Washington with that quote from Mark on it for quite a while. Maybe I could finally get them out of here and to D.C. before the vote comes up. Of course the post office might "lose" them, but I can give it a shot.
The one issue I would take with the article is that right wing people who self-identify as Christian do not actually follow Jesus example or his teachings. If, as the old song says, we will know they are Christians by their love, what should we conclude about people who do not demonstrate love? Or if they do, they do it to a very small circle of people most like themselves. "Faith" without works is dead.
They’re going to think Trump has been unfairly hounded out of office by sinners who have been out to get him for years. And they’re going to point out that ending abortion is worth it, that murdered babies are the real victims. Plus sex with very young women and girls is sanctioned by the Bible. Megyn Kelly actually said that a 15-year-old girl isn’t the same as a 5-year-old child. That’s more or less how I think these so-called Christians justify defending Trump.
None are so dedicated and blind as those who refuse to see. Most people construe absolute unwavering loyalty as a virtue -- witness Vietnam War protest days and the counter-protestors waving signs saying "My Country Right or Wrong" -- and damn all moral or ethical conundrums, full speed ahead. This absolutism applies to everything in their lives --without critical analysis, balance, or moral and ethical integrity considerations. This is "ignorance is bliss" in action -- no thinking required "I know what I believe so bugger off!"
On Judgement Day they'll all be explaining what you mentioned in your post. They'll also answer for their efforts to suppress the "truth" when they were exposed to the light of day..
Sadly, the regime appears to be using a borrowed playbook right now...
https://www.fox13memphis.com/news/federal-lawsuit-faults-southern-baptist-convention-for-covering-up-sexual-abuse/article_5dc128a4-c491-11ee-b55d-0f1c19fc2acc.html
Luck with that tactic, seems to have failed them miserably as it rightly should. Sometimes it is best to avoid the ways of the experts...