"Cancel Culture on the Right": Florida Pastor Forced to Abandon Candidacy for Southern Baptist Presidency

RNS: Pastor Willy Rice Ends Candidacy for SBC Presidency

Julie Roys: Leading SBC Presidential Candidate Under Fire for Ordaining Sex Abuser in His Church

Pastors Urge Willy Rice to Drop Out of SBC Presidential Race

Both of the above references carried the story by Bob Smeitana of RNS that Pastor Willy Rice, of Calvary Church in Clearwater, Florida, who was the first announced candidate for President of the Southern Baptist Convention has had to drop his candidacy. The intensity of politics within the denomination caused a measure of close scrutiny during which it was discovered that one of the church's current deacons had what Pastor Rice called "a sexual relationship that could also be described as abusive."  

The deacon involved was a former teacher and, according to the reports, had a sexual relationship with an 18 year old student when he was 27 years old and teaching in a high school in the Tampa area.  Pastor Rice noted that the relationship occurred long before the individual became a member of Calvary Church, that the individual was very open about his past, not hiding the relationship and was repentant regarding what he had done.  However, because the SBC is involved in an ongoing investigation into allegations of hundreds of instances of sexual abuse by Southern Baptist clergy, the convention passed a resolution last summer saying that anyone who had committed abuse should not be considered for church leadership positions.  

Pastor Rice said that he was recently "confronted by someone outside of Calvary" who knew about this specific incident from the deacon's past and who questioned why he was in leadership.  This approach is similar to the scrutiny that current SBC President Ed Litton was subjected to over borrowing a series of sermons, with permission, from a friend, fellow pastor and immediate past SBC President J. D. Greear.  Litton's church website was scoured for other examples of "plagiarism" as a means of attacking him and attempting to force him to resign as SBC president in favor of the first vice President, who represented the faction known as Conservative Baptist Network, from which most of the criticism of Litton originated.  It was not stated or confirmed that the individual who spoke with Rice about the deacon in his church was connected to CBN.

The deacon involved in the incident is also a member of Florida Governor Ron Desantis' Faith Advisory Council. 

Are Secular Right Wing Political Tactics Disrupting Church Doctrine and Practice? 

It appears that we have some "cancel culture" going on here.  I was taught in a Baptist church, from an early age, that repentance from sin brought about a spiritual transformation that included things like "sanctification" and "justification," terms that mean that a repentant individual who believes in the divinity of Christ and his sacrifice by crucifixion and turns to God by faith receives God's grace in forgiveness.  Sanctification means the soul is cleansed from sin, and justification means the individual is restored to God's presence.  

Apparently, Calvary Church of Clearwater believed that to be the case, and so did Pastor Rice, up until "someone" pointed out that, against the backdrop of current denominational politics, this doesn't look good.  They ordained the individual as a deacon, the qualifications for which can be found in the New Testament, in I Timothy chapter 3.  But now that their pastor is running for the convention presidency, a position that carries with it the power to appoint powerful committee members, there's been some second guessing and a change of mind.  Had the pastor not announced his candidacy, would this even be an issue?

There's a faction within the denomination, known as the "Conservative Baptist Network," that is aiming at controlling the convention, and the appointive power of the president is the pathway toward that control.  There's some indication in the article from Christian Headlines that the attention of the church, which was drawn to this issue by "someone outside of Calvary," may have come from someone inside CBN.  That's a similar tactic they've used to attack current SBC President Ed Litton, whom they accused of "plagiarism" for borrowing--with permission--a series of sermons from his friend and former SBC President J. D. Greear.  

The Southern Baptist Convention is also dealing with a clergy sex abuse scandal, exposed a few years ago by The Houston Chronicle, that is of similar scope and consequence to that of the Catholic Church's clergy abuse scandal.  That's what prompted the SBC resolution cited by Pastor Rice, encouraging churches to avoid putting former sex abusers in leadership positions.  That has put some conservatives on edge, because several of their leaders have been involved in some cover-ups and in badgering and psychologically berating victims who reported abuse to them when they were in positions of authority in the denomination's educational institutions and mission boards.  

Right Wing Political Implications

As previously mentioned, the deacon involved is a member of Florida Governor Ron Desantis' "Faith Advisory Council."  We'll see how that gets handled by the governor, and whether the media finds out about it.  The Conservative Baptist Network is quite comfortable with conservative politicians like Desantis, and if this doesn't look good for a church, it's not going to look good for him, either, especially if the guy doesn't get invited to leave the advisory council. 

Southern Baptists are considered the largest denomination within what is known as the Evangelical branch of the American Christian community.  Many prominent Southern Baptists have openly endorsed and embraced the former President, excusing or outright dismissing his open debauchery, including his bragging about being able to sexually abuse women, his multiple affairs on his three wives and his operation of sexually oriented businesses, at least two of which he still owns and are active.  

Evangelicals have embraced him as one of their own, in spite of his never having claimed any kind of "repentance" or confessed any kind of Christian faith.  So the words of the Apostle Paul in I Corinthians 5:11 apply to them, "Do not even eat with such a one," much less endorse and support someone like that to be President of the United States.  

A Clear Shift in the Church's Doctrine and Faith Practice That is Politically Motivated

The deacon in Calvary church was doing what he was taught to do as a Christian, and a member of the church.  He expressed remorse, regret and repentance from this incident of sexual immorality from his past.  I haven't seen anything regarding what he did for the victim in this case, but he was not charged with a crime, and he apparently paid a steep price for his very poor choice.  He was open about his past with the church leadership and they accepted his sincerity, believed in his spiritual life and ordained him to serve as a deacon in the church.  

Now, because of the pressure placed on his pastor, who was the one seeking the high profile office, and the fact that digging up dirt to smear candidates for the Southern Baptist presidency that don't identify with the CBN is now the M.O. of denominational politics, he is subject to the church's "change of mind" as they retract their unconditional forgiveness and their doctrinal convictions to do damage control.  How can you trust a church, and a pastor, that changes their mind because of circumstances, rather than consistently applying what they claim to be an inerrant, written "word of God."  

If I Restrict Your Freedom, What's Stopping You From Restricting Mine?

"The truth is, no one of us can be free until everybody is free."--Maya Angelou

In spite of the fact that we have a constitutional republic and a representative democracy, as a culture this country has struggled with the idea of equal rights for all.  It hasn't been easy to determine the definition of "all."  Some of that is the hangover left behind from our roots in the European aristocracy, some of it determined by the struggle to survive while settling and developing a vast land full of wild wilderness, some from the inequities of political power and influence created by racial and ethnic rivalries and jealousies because people came here from everywhere and also came into conflict with those already here, some from the manipulation and misinterpretation of religious practice and the presence of religious prejudice as the country was dominated by white Protestants whose churches and denominations developed a unique culture in this country. 

Origins of the Social Agenda Quagmire

We now find ourselves in what I call a social agenda quagmire.  Many Americans seem to think that the way to make this country better is to restrict the rights of those they don't like or with whom they disagree.  And while I will admit I haven't done any real research into the origins of this line of thinking, I blame Rush Limbaugh and the whole genre of right wing media (it's not news and I won't call it that) that has sprung up in his wake for using hatred and people's biases and prejudices to reap a fortune.  

Limbaugh wasn't motivated by trying to improve American government and culture.  His personal life was more an example of self-serving hedonism than it was of any of the conservative "values" he pushed.  He simply observed that there were few media outlets for those who felt bypassed and left out by the "establishment" and launched a network of mostly AM, small town radio stations whose revenue and listenership had been sagging and build enough of a niche to make himself rich.  Over time, wannabees scooped up some of the overflow.  

Limbaugh advocated for a no-compromise, no-negotiation stand on social issues, motivating people by their fears, their bigotry, their hatred and their lack of education.  He dehumanized those he attacked, declaring them unequal and not worthy of the same rights as those who saw things the way he did.  There's enough evidence from his past to believe that he was at least partially motivated by his own racist views, as much as he was by figuring out how to build a money-making media niche.  If Trump saw him as worthy of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, that says a lot about just how much of a fascist bigot he really was.  

As I said, I'm not a sociologist with research on this subject.  But I believe you can trace most of the muddled, confusing tangle of the extreme right's social agenda to this person and this point.  They are about as un-American and un-patriotic as you can get without actually becoming a Russian citizen, and a lot of them wish Putin was their President.  

It's in the Constitution

To have freedom of conscience, characterized by the right to free speech, means that we have to tolerate a lot of disagreeable ideology.  After moving to a mid-sized county seat town in Texas, not ever having lived in the South before, I was shocked to see, right on the courthouse square, just steps away from two churches, a neatly kept office building with a sign over the entrance, identifying the building as the headquarters of the Knights of the Ku Klux Klan.  Their emblems were on both sides of the sign.  

I was even more shocked to see, as I was driving through the square one evening, about two dozen individuals in white robes and hoods, carrying banners and torches, standing on the courthouse steps.  They were rallying about something, and the police were there separating them from a small crowd of counter-protesters across the street.  

It would not be difficult to make a logical, reasonable argument as to why such displays are unAmerican and un-patriotic.  These are people who are so proud of who they are and what they do that they wear hoods and robes so that they cannot be identified.  They achieve their purpose by intimidation and terror, in many cases denying or infringing upon the rights of those they attack.  They do not believe in human equality or the sanctity of life, or peace, or justice, they have no integrity as evidenced by the robes and hoods.  If the only way you can win your point is by intimidation, then you're a loser.  

As bad as all of that is, and it is one of the reasons why Critical Race Theory exists, if they are not permitted to exist and operate in the marketplace of ideas, sooner or later, someone will think about restricting the free speech of other groups a local minority thinks should not be in existence. 

We're Already There

The political pendulum swings back and forth.  I'm curious to see how many court challenges there will be to the restrictions that are being placed on Critical Race Theory.  When it was restricted in Virginia, a friend of mine who teaches there, in Arlington, told me that it will not be difficult to avoid teaching something that was not already in the curriculum.  How can you restrict something that doesn't exist?  But in the muddled mind of conspiracy theorists, it is the greatest danger to American society since Roe v. Wade.  I'd be willing to bet there are already teachers who are introducing it to their classes at this point, to see if anyone picks up on it, or if the unconstitutional restrictions on teaching it get challenged in court. 

What I really want to know, though, is how the constitutional rights of others who may have a different religious belief, political opinion or lifestyle than I do interfere with my freedom?  I am, because of the effect my Christian faith has had on my personal convictions, opposed to the practice of abortion.  I think our society, and even more specifically the Christian churches within it, are capable of providing what is necessary to prevent most of those who consider it from having one.  And I believe there is a much better pathway to resolution of the problems that come with an unwanted or unwelcome pregnancy than simply medically terminating it.  

But those are moral convictions informed by my faith.  I fully acknowledge that there are those who do not have religious convictions who are informed by either science or their own opinion who believe in a different starting point for what we call "life."  And they have the right to believe that.  And I realize that the government, via the courts, has to consider all perspectives when making a determination that does not constitute an "establishment of religion."  The belief that life begins at conception is an exclusively religious perspective.  Even though the law takes a position of "religious neutrality," that does not prevent Christians from finding ways to lower the abortion numbers.  

I can't think of any right that has been extended to any American that interferes with my free exercise of my faith or my conscience.  The courts are charged with the responsibility of determining where the boundaries are located.  I am concerned that if these state challenges to CRT, to fair and free elections, and to other free speech and conscience issues are allowed to stand, eventually everyone's rights are going to be open to some kind of challenge or restriction.  Once that line is crossed, and the political pendulum swings, no individual rights will be safe.

This is What Brainwashing Looks Like

GOP Congressional Candidate: "If Christians Repent (from taking the COVID vaccine), God Will Remove Poison From Their Body 

Christianity, or should I correct that and say real Christianity that is correctly interpreted and applied, does not reject the use of vaccinations, medical care, blood transfusions and other medical procedures that save lives and improve health.  Prayers for healing are not nullified by seeking medical attention or getting vaccinated or having surgery.  There is no source of authority for Christian doctrine that teaches that.

The ignorance, and the level of brainwashing that this statement represents should disqualify this particular candidate from being able to run for office.  We already have this kind of dysfunctional thinking in Congress.  That kind of ignorance is dangerous.  A million people in this country have died as a result of COVID, many of them unnecessarily so because they refused to get vaccinated as a result of this kind of brainwashing and ignorance circulating around on social media.  

The fact that the death rate from COVID is substantially higher among far right wing conspiracy theorists who won't get vaccinated than it is among those liberals who get vaccinated and boosted has to be a sign of God's favor on the liberals, at least, it would be according to Janet Porter's logic, huh?  And isn't she sort of shooting her own self in the foot here?  If she's appealing to other nut case conspiracy theorists to vote for her, shouldn't she be giving them advice that will help them survive until they cast their ballot, rather than getting COVID and kicking the bucket before the election?  She's undermining her own chances at winning. 

Those Are "Tongue-in-Cheek" Remarks--This Whole Anti-Vaxxer Conspiracy is Tragic

For Christians who believe in the existence of God, the whole scope of healing through the vast knowledge that has been acquired through medical science is common grace.  It is available to all who seek it out for their health and well-being.  Seeking a solution of medical science does not disqualify or nullify prayers for healing.  In fact, the availability of knowledge provided by medical science is almost always the manner in which God chooses to answer prayers for healing.  Nothing in the Bible teaches us to pray only for a supernatural means of overcoming disease or injury.  

It only takes a few minutes to get the facts, and a few more to get the vaccine.  It is completely worth it.  I've seen, up close, the misery and pain that a family goes through when they lose a loved one to COVID, especially when that loved one didn't get vaccinated.  I've not seen anyone die from getting vaccinated.  I have seen someone too young to die lose their life because of COVID and leave family members behind wondering if things would be different, and if they would have their father and husband back if they could just go back in time. 

A Warning Sign to Voters

Candidates like Janet Folger Porter must be defeated.  We don't need conspiracy theorists in government.  We need people who speak the truth and understand facts.  Rush Limbaugh and those of his ilk have turned the give and take of politics into winner-take-all, no compromise gridlock, which works for a few privileged people, but not for the rest of us.  Promoting conspiracy theories is, in old fashioned language, lying, and that makes Janet Folger Porter a liar.  So if you live in that Ohio congressional district, there's the reason to go vote, and to vote against her by electing her Democratic opponent. 

President Biden Makes Republican Detractors Look Out of Touch With Reality

President Biden Calls Putin a War Criminal

There's something that comes out of the White House almost every day that blows holes in the GOP muttering about President Biden's age being a "diminishing factor," and that his approach to foreign policy, particularly with regard to Ukraine, is "weak."  

That's laughable and ridiculous, not only in light of their own record of support and praise of Vladimir Putin, and their chasing around after a genuinely "diminished by age," demented, insane former President 45, but in light of what is happening just about every day.  

Many of these duplicitous Republican wannabees had nothing but high praise for Reagan's bold bashing of Russian autocrats, particularly Mikhail Gorbachev.  Nor was Reagan all that kind to Gorbachev's predecessors, either.  President Biden hasn't minced any words about Putin, ever.  Not as Vice-President when he moved into the Donbas and into Crimea, and certainly not now.  This is a very calculated and edgy foreign policy move.  Putin has rattled the nuclear sabre and let that make up for the lack of military prowess his army has shown as it retreats, regroups or whatever you want to call it.  President Biden is pushing back, showing no fear of the threats and making a few of his own in the form of devastatingly accurate intelligence and the ability to make a few phone calls and further debilitate Russia's economy. 

Let's be very clear about the contrast between President Biden's approach and what would have taken place had FP45 been in charge.  Putin jumped into Ukraine before a NATO alliance plunged into uncertainty by the FP's deliberate cold shoulder and failed leadership could bring it into the alliance.  He attacked because FP's treatment of the NATO alliance and our allies created the uncertainty into which he could invade.  He knew FP45 was a real coward, interested only in his own bank account and possible future investments and deals in Russia and could care less about NATO, the EU, or Ukraine.  He knew that he had influenced the 2016 election and he got what he wanted out of our former President.  

I don't want to downplay the Ukrainian military or the Ukrainian population's efforts to save their country.  They would have fought this hard whether they had US and NATO support or not.  US intelligence, laid out deliberately and publicly well before the invasion, gave the Ukrainians their battle plan.  The US and its NATO allies have supplied all kinds of effective weaponry that wouldn't have been there had FP 45 been in the White House.  And there wouldn't have been any American sanctions, without which the European effort would not have succeeded.  

So here we are, with yet another major accomplishment for the Biden Administration happening at the beginning of the first week in April.  President Biden is making his Republican detractors, who keep parroting the same old tired themes, look really bad.    

Why This Christian Prefers Democrats Over Republicans

It is my personal preference to no longer identify as an "Evangelical Christian."  While I still am a member of a church that would probably be classified that way because of its theology and doctrine, and its worship style and ministry engagement, the term "Evangelical" is now used much more frequently in a political sense.  My political views would not be categorized as consistent with those that are identified with religious right wing politics.  So I prefer to be identified as "Christian" rather than "Evangelical Christian." 

I don't believe that a case can be made, philosophically, ideologically and especially spiritually, that links the practice of Christianity by Caucasian Americans to the political right.  In the Old Testament, the nation of Israel was a theocracy, believing themselves to be called and commissioned by God to reveal his existence and presence to the world.  But in the New Testament, the record of the "new covenant," Jesus clearly made some changes, noting "My kingdom is not of this world," and also making it quite clear that while the Jews expected a political "messiah" to restore the glory of their nation, Jesus was building a spiritual empire to focus on God's glory.  The Christian gospel took faith and belief in God out of a political realm and built a church on faith, not politics or military might.

"We're Right and Everyone Else is Wrong" 

The political involvement of Evangelicals has involved wrapping much of their doctrine around political perspectives, creating a position in which a rejection of a political point is considered rejection of the faith.  This is a completely false perspective, a complete corruption of the gospel of Jesus Christ itself, a heretical departure from Christian faith as it has been traditionally interpreted.  

Some of that is due to misinterpretation of the historical context of Old Testament passages that pertained to the theocratic government of Israel and their literal mis-application to the relationship between the Christian church and government.  And some of it is rooted in the general belief held by many Evangelicals that their particular brand of Christian faith is accurate, and that other branches of Christianity are in error.  It is very common among more conservative Evangelicals to reject other Christian groups who don't emphasize or share their particular "distinctives."  So, when a particular political perspective is linked or tied to a doctrinal or theological perspective, a difference of opinion is considered a rejection of truth.  

So much for freedom of conscience, huh?  

For example, while the common goal might be to slow down and reduce the number of abortions being performed each year in the United States, the only Evangelical perspective on this subject is to elect politicians who are committed to overturning Roe v. Wade.  Advocating for health care support among those living in poverty, and without much in the way of access to medical care, which occurred during the Obama administration, would not be considered the correct approach, even though the evidence is clear that those programs brought the actual number of abortions down considerably.  The same goal is achieved, but if the method doesn't agree with the overturning Roe perspective, it's considered wrong. 

Defending Constitutional Rights is More Than Just Defense of Religious Freedom

As a Christian, my conscience and lifestyle is influenced by my faith.  Being Christian is more than just a ticket into the pearly gates.  The very words of Jesus himself, recorded by the writers of the gospel, make it very clear that the essence of Christian faith and practice is tied directly to the way a Christian treats other people.  

Many Evangelical Christians condemn even their fellow Christians for lack of ageement on certain doctrinal and theological distinctives within its various sects.  Most conservative Evangelicals do not believe Catholics, Orthodox Christians or members of some branches of Mainline Protestantism are "Christian" and are rejected by God because their doctrine and practice differs significantly.  Some of the more conservative Baptists, Pentecostals and groups like the Churches of Christ, teach that God only recognizes their particular group as having authentic faith, while the others are "apostate," or have departed from true faith and therefore their members are blinded to the truth and will be sent to hell when they die.   

Among these conservative branches of Evangelicalism are some extreme "worldviews" in which the adherents believe that they are destined by God to bring truth and light to the world, and those who oppose them are the enemies of God.  So, even though we all live in a constitutional republic where individual rights are guaranteed, these people do not believe it is "God's will" for those they consider to be outside the faith to have rights at all.  They believe it is their mission and calling to take over the government and impose their religious views on society, extending individual rights only to those who profess the same faith as they do in the same way.  

It is that mentality, that "worldview," within the conservative side of Evangelicalism, that is dominating Republican party politics right now.  It has been given several labels, "Dominionism," "White Christian Nationalism," "Christian Fascism," but that's the prevalent Evangelical-political view in the GOP.  It's why they are able to hypocritically set aside Trump's immoral, worldly lifestyle and embrace his politics, uniting around him in a way that they won't unite around the teachings of Christ.  

It is a perspective that limits the protections of individual rights only to those deemed worthy by their adherence to a specific set of Christian doctrines.  It is belief in an extension of the prohibition of rights and privileges to those who don't share the same beliefs.  For example, there are many Evangelical churches and denominations on the more conservative side of that branch of Christianity that do not offer communion, or the Eucharist, to individuals who are not members of their own body.  So they also believe that the founding fathers actually reserved the protection of individual freedoms only for those who were of a particular racial, ethnic and religious background and did not intend for those rights to extend to other people, like native Americans, black slaves or immigrants who came from predominantly Catholic or Orthodox countries of Southern and Eastern Europe.  

Those restrictions have now extended, along the course of a social agenda within this particular philosophical and political group, to individuals whose personal lifestyle is not based on conservative Christian faith.  

That is neither true Christian faith and practice, nor is it true American idealism and patriotism.   And that's why I won't support Republican candidates for office who identify with this particular perspective.

There Are Risks With an Inclusive Worldview

As a Christian, I have a set of convictions and beliefs which govern my behavior and which affect the way I live my life.  Those convictions and beliefs are based on precepts which are found in the Biblical narrative, particularly the New Testament which was written mostly by the Apostles who were eyewitnesses to Jesus' teaching and preaching, and interpreted through centuries of church history.  Those texts have been interpreted and practices through centuries of Christian history by church leaders who had a major impact on the development of the church and spread of the gospel of Christ, the combination of which has produced a rich deposit of doctrine and theology for us in this century. 

The core values of Christian faith are found in a short narrative in Matthew's gospel at the beginning of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, chapter 5, verses 1 through 16.  These are not values that can be imposed by political edict.  They are taught by example and influence, as Jesus makes perfectly clear at the end of this narrative.  They are values which cannot be subdued or silenced even in the face of the most severe persecution, as the Christians in the Roman Empire of the first through third centuries demonstrated.  Because they must be adopted by conviction, they cannot be imposed without losing their character.  The history of the state-controlled church is one of the corruption of its mission and purpose, and its leadership and membership as it is used to achieve political ends that contradict its values.

The issue of the legality of abortion provides an excellent illustration of this point.  Christian doctrine relies on a few passages of the Bible which indicate that life begins at conception.  There is also a fairly clear teaching that the act of having a child is one that blesses a marriage union and should be considered with the serious nature of the responsibility that accompanies it.  So I believe that having a medical procedure performed which ends a pregnancy is morally wrong.  

There are several notable Democratic politicians who share a similar conviction, and that list includes former Presidents Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, former Secretary of State and Democratic nominee Hillary Rodham Clinton, Senator Cory Booker, Senator Mark Kelly, Vice-President Kamala Harris and President Joe Biden.  How do I know this?  I've read the comments they have made on this issue.  But they are all opposed to the overturning of Roe v. Wade, and believe that the decision of whether or not to have an abortion does not belong to government, it belongs to the individual making it.  

That does not make them "baby killers," as the opposition likes to claim.  It simply means that they recognize that the belief that life begins at conception is exclusively a religious belief, rooted in the Christian conviction that there is enough Biblical evidence to confirm it.  And they recognize that one of the constitutional limitations on government is that it can make no law "respecting an establishment of religion."  Almost two thirds of Americans have, over the past three decades, expressed a different view.  

That does not prevent Christians from acting on their own convictions, nor does it stop them from finding ways to prevent abortions by expanding their evangelistic outreach or their ministry to those considering abortions because of circumstances beyond their control, mainly poverty.  In proportion to the amount of money and effort the conservative/political right spends on campaigning, the amount of resources they commit to actual ministry that would deal with the root cause of abortion, whether spiritually or physically, is a pittance.  Those few church and denominational ministries that do address the root problems find success.

On the other hand, when Democrats have tackled the issue of poverty, especially when it comes down to providing pre-natal care and economic stability for women who consider abortion because of their financial situation, the number of abortions performed in a year drop.  The most significant drops in abortion numbers since the Roe decision occurred during the Clinton and Obama Administrations, because of their women's health care and prevention initiatives.  Nothing, except an aversion to helping people in need, keeps the same thing from happening under Republican leadership.  

Social Issues Come From Cultural Issues

In the United States, we have always had a significant proportion of the population that is not Christian in its religious convictions.  Christianity has been a major influence in the formation of this country and throughout its history, and it continues to be so.  But in order for Christians to have the "free exercise of religion" the constitution must permit all other religious beliefs, and all of those who do not practice any religion, equal protection under law.  We have always had the adherents of different world religions present in this country from its earliest days, the only difference is that it has taken years of application of the law by the courts to recognize their religious freedom and define where the boundaries are located to avoid infringement on the rights of others.  

Christianity is free to compete in the marketplace of ideas without restriction, as is any other religious belief.  I believe trying to tilt the playing field in its own direction, using politics and government to give it an advantage, is counterproductive.  The Evangelical branch of American Protestantism is seeing sharp, rapid declines in church participation and membership as some of its more prominent leaders have ramped up their partisan political preferences and push and endorse candidates, especially those who do not reflect Christian values and convictions at all, like Donald Trump.  The largest, and one of the most exclusive, Evangelical denominations in the United States, the Southern Baptist Convention, has seen the number of conversions drop in half since 2016, and has lost more than two million of its members since then.  It has become embroiled in bitter, vicious controversy as some of its leadership abandon Christian values for more worldly interests at Trump's prompting.  

Supporting Democrats doesn't require party or political loyalty.  There's a bigger interest in helping people over helping millionaires, which is a Biblical value whether they admit it or not.  What Republicans falsely label as "socialism," Democrats consider helping people who need it.  And it's pretty clear that the Democrats are the party that supports representative democracy and the rule of law under the Constitution.  They didn't interfere with the peaceful transfer of power or try to pull a coup on January 6th.  There's plenty of room for my "worldview" and the convictional practice of my faith in a party that respects and believes in individual rights.  In the Evangelical-Political right, there's no tolerance for dissent or disagreement.

 

Just This Week...

The President, that's Joe Biden for clarification, announced the release of a million barrels of oil a day from the strategic oil reserves.  Normally, this would only be used to step up production if foreign oil sources are disrupted but apparently this President is serious about helping people and is looking for ways to reduce the price of gasoline until it comes back down on the global market.  It's doing that, but we have that American tendency to use news like this to make an extra buck.  

The President, yes, still Joe Biden, announced a drop in the unemployment numbers to their lowest point since the pandemic, 3.6%, and the private sector creation of 450,000 new jobs.  

The Democrats in the House, with very little actual Republican support, passed a bill that would cap the price of insulin at $35 a month.  It's higher in the US than almost anywhere else in the world, not because its scarce, but because diabetics don't have much hope of life without it.  Republicans once again side with the price gougers, but want to blame inflation on Biden completely.  

The President started the week out by not backing down from his statement during his speech in Warsaw.  Good for him.  

I think we picked the right guy for President in 2020.   

Evangelical Support for Trump is Not Consistent With Christian Doctrine

I wrote you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral persons--not at all meaning the immoral of this world, or the greedy and robbers, or idolaters, since you would then need to go out of the world.  But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother or sister who is sexually immoral, or greedy, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard or robber.  Do not even eat with such a one.  For what have I to do with judging those outside?  Is it not those who are inside that you need to judge?  God will judge those outside.  "Drive out the wicked person from among you".  I Corinthians 5:9-13, NRSV 

The political attraction of Donald Trump to conservative, Evangelical Christians is not all that hard to understand.  He tells them what they want to hear from him politically.  They have narrowed down their political interests to getting enough government favor to do their work for them when it comes to ending abortion and overturning the Roe v. Wade decision.  More recently, white supremacy has blended itself into the mix, along with opposition to equal rights for lesbian, gay and transgendered persons but all of their political eggs fall into the same basket. 

Trump's political interest is much different.  He pursued a clear path to reducing or eliminating altogether any tax obligation for the wealthiest Americans and laid the groundwork to stuff his own pockets, along with those of some of his billionaire buddies, with the resulting cash from our pockets.  In exchange for the votes he needed to get into office, he decided that he could change his position on a few social issues that he found personally meaningless.  

Support for Trump is Inconsistent with Biblical Doctrine

There is no basis in Christian theology for trading off support for a politician in exchange for political benefits.  The church, according to the Apostolic writers of the New Testament, neither needs nor desires political power to achieve its purpose.  The problem that is created when a political deal is made is that it changes the focus of the church from its spiritual mission, which is to glorify God and testify to the gospel message of Jesus, to one of having to support secular political positions that drain its resources and strangle its credibility.  

It is inconceivable that a group of Christians in the United States who claim their faith is closer to the genuine Christian church that Christ established because they belief in the inerrancy and infallibility of the Bible as the written word of God would turn to one of the most worldly, corrupt public figures in the world as the candidate they would support for President of the United States.  For most white Evangelicals--pardon the pun--political influence trumps Biblical doctrine and theology and they are willing to set aside their strict hermeneutical principles to twist a few select scripture references out of their context to justify the unjustifiable practice of endorsing a secular politician.

Trump built his public reputation on the kind of worldly debauchery and immorality that the Apostle Paul was condemning in the passage I cited at the beginning from his first letter to the Christian church at Corinth.  Trump went to great lengths to make sure the world knew about his marital unfaithfulness, including who some of his famous partners were.  The dishonesty of his financial business is off the charts, and he made a lot of his money on casinos and strip clubs, and still does.  

There are those who say that this passage doesn't apply to their support for Trump, because it is a condemnation of those who are sexually immoral inside the church, not of outsiders.  But that argument doesn't hold water here.  Trump was brought inside, accepted and endorsed by many self-proclaimed Evangelical "leaders."  Some of them have been his most ardent apologists and defenders, even though he has never claimed to have had a conversion experience.  Evangelicals have made him theirs.  Now, they have to own him.  And if they have endorse him, and encouraged their followers to vote for him, then they are guilty of disobedience to this Biblical directive.

They Have Much in Common

For such boasters are false prophets, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ.  And no wonder!  Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.  So it is not strange if his ministers also disguise themselves as ministers of righteousness.  Their end will match their deeds.  2 Corinthians 11:13-15, NRSV

Right smack in the middle of the Trump administration, one of his most ardent and loyal supporters, Jerry Falwell, Jr., the heir to the Falwell empire that included the presidency of Liberty University, was caught in a major sex scandal that came to light after some questionable photos of Falwell, with another woman not his wife, turned up.  That led to revelations of an adulterous affair involving one of their younger employees and Falwell's wife.  Falwell himself made the arrangements, and apparently took photographs.  

The list of prominent, well-known Evangelical pastors and evangelists who have had to step down and admit to adulterous affairs over the past four years is an indication that these scripture passages not only apply to the church in Corinth, but to Evangelical Christians in 21st century America.  This includes very prominent individuals like Ravi Zacharias, Bill Hybels of Willow Creek Church in metro Chicago, and Frank Page, former executive director of the Southern Baptist Convention, along with Falwell.  There is also a long list of financial misdeeds, mishandling of abuse and rape accusations in churches and ministries.  There's a link on the side of the blog to Julie Roys, who regularly reports on such scandals and issues among Evangelicals, and you can read plenty. 

Birds of a feather, hey? 

Trump Junior Claims the Bible is a Manual for Suckers and Losers

Bush Speechwriter Slams Trump Jr. for Saying the Bible is a "Manual for Suckers and Losers"

When they go on the record, it is very hard to deny that the "left wing media" is doing this to them.  

Trump Junior told a group gathered at a Turning Point USA rally in Arizona that following the teachings of Jesus, when it comes to loving your enemies or turning the other cheek, causes Christians to be excluded from positions of power in social and cultural institutions.  

"We've turned the other cheek and I understand, sort of, the biblical reference, I understand the mentality," he said.  "But it's gotten us nothing. OK?"  

Sorry to let reality break in on the fantasy world that Trumpies generally live in, but denying a core teaching of Jesus, and replacing it with a worldly principle learned by aggressive, vengeful politics, is not Christian.  It is what the Bible refers to as "anti-Christ."  

Spiritual Questions Are Not Answered by Politics

Am I now seeking human approval , or God's approval?  Or am I trying to please people?  If I were still pleasing people, I would not be a servant of Christ.  Galatians 1:10, NRSV

There are many sincere Christian believers who have been deceived by this whole charade.  It is to those people that I am writing.  The church does not need political affiliations to accomplish its mission and purpose.  Jesus put this in simple terms, saying that Christians are to be like salt and light (Matthew 5:13-14).  They are to be an influence and a presence.  Christian practice cannot be mandated by law, it must be accepted and practiced by belief and conviction.  

Salt enhances the flavor of food, especially when it is used in cooking or baking.  Light makes it possible to see, driving away the darkness and illuminating the surroundings.  That's how Christian faith is supposed to work.  Those who are sincere believers, who practice its ethics and morals and believe in the abundant fulfillment of this life that it brings, in addition to eternity, become encouragers and influencers.  I believe that one of the reasons Evangelical Christianity is in a steep decline in terms of membership and participation in this country is that it has depended on its political influence and the influence of its numbers, and it has failed to show itself as a faith that brings about abundant fulfillment because of the relationship it creates between God and human beings.  

Most of these church scandals happened during the previous four-year administration when the relationship between white Evangelicals and the Republican religious right wing tightened up.  Well, why turn to God and to Christian ethics and morals when turning to the world gets you all the influence and power than you've been craving?  It's not an accident, either, that membership and attendance in white, Evangelical congregations in the United States has dropped by 18% during the same period of time.