The cruelty of "these republicans" is pathological. I believe that those who buy into it are less political than they are cruel. They're people who look for opportunities to behave badly. Trump gave them permission. He made harmless people bait and another distraction for maga.
I'm angry and fearful for those I love. Those that are looking for someplace safe now that the country is even less so.
I have been reading your posts for years, and this column inspired me to become a paying supporter. Thank you once again for calling a spade a spade in such an eloquent way
We need more people to like and comment on this post. It hits the mark on so many levels. I liked the reference about worrying who’s peeing in the stall next to you. Let’s hear from more readers, please.
And pass along. This issue makes me so angry. Today I’m feeling I’m going to be angry the rest of my life. I never thought the “church” would be so entwined in my daily existence.
Thank you for this very true account of trans hate by so called Christians. As the relative of a trans person I pray everyday that they are happy and safe in their chosen place
No matter how many times I read the quote from Project 2025, it just makes no sense to me. To link pornography and child sexualization with a person's transgender identity is just nonsensical. The right's preoccupation with sex is truly disturbing!!!
Thanks John. If I might point out something that is probably obvious to you but maybe not to some of your readers: The fear and loathing of difference--especially difference that identifies as female or nonbinary but "should" be "happy" with their maleness--is not confined to the "Christians" (a term I use with considerable irony as Jesus never said anything about anyone's sexuality being beyond the pale and, indeed, castigated those of his followers who wanted to make an issue of it). All of the dominant religions in the world have as their absolute foundation some kind of anti-female bigotry that plays out not just in the oppression of cis women, but in the enormous oppression of trans women. If you notice, the mania is directed almost exclusively at trans WOMEN, not at trans MEN. This is an extension of the bone-level misogyny that dominates world religions, even those that claim to be "liberal." And why is this? Because the idea that a MAN--someone whose penis conveys immense privilege--might want to be a WOMAN--someone whose lack of a penis renders her, as Aristotle once said, "deformed"--cannot be comprehended by people for whom fear and loathing of women is just basic everyday stuff.
A bit of history for you. Homosexual behavior, especially between adult men, was until very recently illegal throughout western culture, and even used as an excuse to obliterate certain religious groups who had outserved their "usefulness" or become too powerful, such as the Knights Templar in the early 14th century. But the partner who was more severely punished in these relationships was the man who was penetrated, not the one doing the penetrating. Why? Because he was taking on the "female" sexual role. By contrast, same-sex relationships between women were largely ignored until the late 19th century and had virtually no visibility in European or Anglo-American law. Why? Because penises were not involved and, on the basis of our old misogynist friend Aristotle, that meant that no sexual act had occurred. The only time women were punished for same-sex interactions? When they used artificial penises. Why? Because they were "usurping" the male role by doing so.
Trans men are often overlooked because they look and sound indistinguishable from cis men (often they grow beards simply to blend in). They date cis women and no one is the wiser. But trans women are a whole other situation because of the rage that men feel when confronted with the notion that they are not special; that their penises don't make them superior; that someone might reject the whole toxic masculinity nonsense we all have to endure if we happen to possess vaginas instead. This rage is born out of a visceral hatred of women--and denying it simply perpetuates the problem.
The transgender community, the Queer community, the Jews, The Haitians, - this could easily be pre World War 2 Berlin .
The victim groups then: Jews, Homosexuals, The Disabled, Christian Scientists , Sinti & Roma and anyone who didn't agree with Hitler, helped along by the cowardice of the media and the cooperation of The Catholic Church, the most powerful entity in Europe besides the government at that time.
You are probably one of the most powerful voices in the Christian Community - to those who will listen.
Until those who call themselves "christian" understand this perversion of christianity and especially the evangelical community who promote Trump, the nation, built on the SEPARATION of Church and State, truly understand that Trump and Christianity are MUTUALLY EXCLUSIVE, The American Experiment is over.
The Founding Fathers who spoke of the "blood soaked soil of Europe in the name of God" and wanted America to be different understood this better than anyone.
The Republican Party of today has put Trump above all - God (as they understand God) and The Constitution. The 'Christians" today (God, Guns, Trump - usually also, bizarrely "pro-life") were the nazis of yesterday.
Ironically, the Christian Scientists were a victim group because they refused to make Hitler their God. There was a document that they could sign, indicating that their Fuhrer and their God were one, but most bravely refused. Hence, they became victims in concentration camps, along with all the other undesirables.
If only religious people of today had this same conviction. Instead, they worship Trump, who is surrounded by the worst of the worst of the religious charlatans of our time. Paula White starring as Aimee Temple McPherson, speaking gibberish in tongues.
We never learn.
As Ecclesiastes says "there is nothing new under the sun."
Judith, you make very good points. You don't have blinders on, and can see what is coming. It's frightening, but like a tsunami, we have no control, we can only brace ourselves.
John, thank you so much for this writing. I can't think too much about this cruel plan of D.T. and Co. for the whole LGBTQ community, and now, especially their focus on the Trans people; it just makes me sick. What harm have any one of them ever caused, yet many have paid such a bitter price for even living their lives. Our responsibility is to pray and love like our lives depended on it...theirs do!
When I was in Middle School I went to Moravian Prep in Bethlehem, PA. We had chapel every morning. Each day a student was in charge of the program, they invited a speaker and selected one or two hymns. This was in the mid sixties. This hymn, Once to Every Man and Nation, was everyone’s favorite. I think it is very appropriate for today.
The cruelty of "these republicans" is pathological. I believe that those who buy into it are less political than they are cruel. They're people who look for opportunities to behave badly. Trump gave them permission. He made harmless people bait and another distraction for maga.
I'm angry and fearful for those I love. Those that are looking for someplace safe now that the country is even less so.
I have been reading your posts for years, and this column inspired me to become a paying supporter. Thank you once again for calling a spade a spade in such an eloquent way
We need more people to like and comment on this post. It hits the mark on so many levels. I liked the reference about worrying who’s peeing in the stall next to you. Let’s hear from more readers, please.
And pass along. This issue makes me so angry. Today I’m feeling I’m going to be angry the rest of my life. I never thought the “church” would be so entwined in my daily existence.
Best to listen to your own heart!
Thank you for this very true account of trans hate by so called Christians. As the relative of a trans person I pray everyday that they are happy and safe in their chosen place
No matter how many times I read the quote from Project 2025, it just makes no sense to me. To link pornography and child sexualization with a person's transgender identity is just nonsensical. The right's preoccupation with sex is truly disturbing!!!
Thanks John. If I might point out something that is probably obvious to you but maybe not to some of your readers: The fear and loathing of difference--especially difference that identifies as female or nonbinary but "should" be "happy" with their maleness--is not confined to the "Christians" (a term I use with considerable irony as Jesus never said anything about anyone's sexuality being beyond the pale and, indeed, castigated those of his followers who wanted to make an issue of it). All of the dominant religions in the world have as their absolute foundation some kind of anti-female bigotry that plays out not just in the oppression of cis women, but in the enormous oppression of trans women. If you notice, the mania is directed almost exclusively at trans WOMEN, not at trans MEN. This is an extension of the bone-level misogyny that dominates world religions, even those that claim to be "liberal." And why is this? Because the idea that a MAN--someone whose penis conveys immense privilege--might want to be a WOMAN--someone whose lack of a penis renders her, as Aristotle once said, "deformed"--cannot be comprehended by people for whom fear and loathing of women is just basic everyday stuff.
A bit of history for you. Homosexual behavior, especially between adult men, was until very recently illegal throughout western culture, and even used as an excuse to obliterate certain religious groups who had outserved their "usefulness" or become too powerful, such as the Knights Templar in the early 14th century. But the partner who was more severely punished in these relationships was the man who was penetrated, not the one doing the penetrating. Why? Because he was taking on the "female" sexual role. By contrast, same-sex relationships between women were largely ignored until the late 19th century and had virtually no visibility in European or Anglo-American law. Why? Because penises were not involved and, on the basis of our old misogynist friend Aristotle, that meant that no sexual act had occurred. The only time women were punished for same-sex interactions? When they used artificial penises. Why? Because they were "usurping" the male role by doing so.
Trans men are often overlooked because they look and sound indistinguishable from cis men (often they grow beards simply to blend in). They date cis women and no one is the wiser. But trans women are a whole other situation because of the rage that men feel when confronted with the notion that they are not special; that their penises don't make them superior; that someone might reject the whole toxic masculinity nonsense we all have to endure if we happen to possess vaginas instead. This rage is born out of a visceral hatred of women--and denying it simply perpetuates the problem.
The transgender community, the Queer community, the Jews, The Haitians, - this could easily be pre World War 2 Berlin .
The victim groups then: Jews, Homosexuals, The Disabled, Christian Scientists , Sinti & Roma and anyone who didn't agree with Hitler, helped along by the cowardice of the media and the cooperation of The Catholic Church, the most powerful entity in Europe besides the government at that time.
You are probably one of the most powerful voices in the Christian Community - to those who will listen.
Until those who call themselves "christian" understand this perversion of christianity and especially the evangelical community who promote Trump, the nation, built on the SEPARATION of Church and State, truly understand that Trump and Christianity are MUTUALLY EXCLUSIVE, The American Experiment is over.
The Founding Fathers who spoke of the "blood soaked soil of Europe in the name of God" and wanted America to be different understood this better than anyone.
The Republican Party of today has put Trump above all - God (as they understand God) and The Constitution. The 'Christians" today (God, Guns, Trump - usually also, bizarrely "pro-life") were the nazis of yesterday.
Ironically, the Christian Scientists were a victim group because they refused to make Hitler their God. There was a document that they could sign, indicating that their Fuhrer and their God were one, but most bravely refused. Hence, they became victims in concentration camps, along with all the other undesirables.
If only religious people of today had this same conviction. Instead, they worship Trump, who is surrounded by the worst of the worst of the religious charlatans of our time. Paula White starring as Aimee Temple McPherson, speaking gibberish in tongues.
We never learn.
As Ecclesiastes says "there is nothing new under the sun."
Judith, you make very good points. You don't have blinders on, and can see what is coming. It's frightening, but like a tsunami, we have no control, we can only brace ourselves.
In other words, the Right has decided they alone are God, so they get to act as judge and jury. Another Commandment and free will down the drain.
Spot on analyses and chillingly commentary on the right's use of fear to whip up hatred and persecution.
Yes. I totally agree.
John, thank you so much for this writing. I can't think too much about this cruel plan of D.T. and Co. for the whole LGBTQ community, and now, especially their focus on the Trans people; it just makes me sick. What harm have any one of them ever caused, yet many have paid such a bitter price for even living their lives. Our responsibility is to pray and love like our lives depended on it...theirs do!
When I was in Middle School I went to Moravian Prep in Bethlehem, PA. We had chapel every morning. Each day a student was in charge of the program, they invited a speaker and selected one or two hymns. This was in the mid sixties. This hymn, Once to Every Man and Nation, was everyone’s favorite. I think it is very appropriate for today.
https://youtu.be/cSMqesZz3tU?si=cNIRGvFkLhAsGz2y