The Freethinker
A ‘PROGRESSIVE’ evangelical professor from Georgia suggested in a blistering op-ed published yesterday (Wednesday) that Trump and Falwell are two of a kind.
Writing for Religion News Service, David P Gushee, above, who teaches Christian ethics at Mercer University, wrote:
It seems to me that Jerry Falwell Jr. is to American Christianity what Donald Trump is to American politics.
Both appear more concerned with power than with principles. Both hide their private sins behind a veneer of wealth and reactionary claims of Christianity’s persecution.
Both took proud old movements in America and visibly advanced their moral deterioration … Some of Falwell’s fakery and corruption has been revealed, and he has fallen. Much of Trump’s fakery and corruption has been revealed, and he has not yet fallen.
Both have led their movements – which are now, basically, one single movement of white “Christian” reactionary politics — into a ditch.
Falwell’s fall won’t leave him hurting for cash. He reportedly walked away from Liberty University with a $10.5-million severance package. Because he wasn’t formally accused of or admitted to any wrongdoing prior to his leaving, he will receive $2.5 million over the next 24 months – equivalent to two years’ salary – plus an additional $8 million after that period, as per a contract he signed with the university in July of last year.
His piece coincided with reports that Jerushah Duford, above, Billy Graham’s grandaughter, condemned evangelical leaders who back President Donald Trump. In an op-ed she wrote:
I have spent my entire life in the church, with every big decision guided by my faith. But now, I feel homeless. Like so many others, I feel disoriented as I watch the church I have always served turn their eyes away from everything it teaches …
Duford was particularly disturbed by Trump’s decision to walk to St John’s Church for a photo-op on June 1 amid protests against police brutality. Trump held up a Bible at the church after peaceful protesters were teargassed.
He held a Bible, something so sacred to all of us, yet he treated that Bible with a callousness that would offend anyone intimately familiar with the words inside it … The entire world has watched the term ‘evangelical’ become synonymous with hypocrisy and disingenuousness.
But far from being appalled by the crass Bible stunt, Duford’s uncle, the poisonous reptile Franklin Graham – scheduled to insert his tongue into Trump’s anus later today – was delighted. According to this report, Graham said a lengthy Facebook post:
Offended? Not at all. [Trump] made an important statement that what took place the night before in the burning, looting, and vandalism of the nation’s capital—including this historic house of worship – mattered, and that the lawlessness had to end.
He added it was “unbelievable” that religious leaders would attack the president for holding up “God’s word” in a time of unrest across the nation.
They should be thanking him rather than criticizing him! They are nitpicking his gesture, also saying he should have prayed while he was there. So critical. Well, maybe they should invite him back and pray for him as he leads this country through a very difficult time in our history.
Meanwhile Billy Graham’s other granddaughter, Cissie Graham Lynch, above, spoke at the GOP’s convention last night, where she talked about how Trump has protected religious freedom. And “religious freedom,” to her, means attacking LGBTQ rights and restricting access to contraception.
Which is kinda odd as Trump accepted praise last week for being the “most pro-gay President in America’s history.
According to Lynch, the Obama/Biden administration advanced LGBTQ equality, but then the Trump administration immediately worked to roll back those rights.
At the end of her speech, Lynch again made “religious freedom” entirely about attacking LGBTQ people:
Whether you’re a baker, a florist, or a football coach, they will force the choice between being obedient to God or to Caesar.
The references to bakers and florists refer to how some businesses are getting penalised by state and local governments for refusing to serve LGBTQ people.
Hat tip: BarrieJohn (Duford and Lynch reports)
I’d love a cup of coffee
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In