I’m channeling the prophet Jeremiah more than Jesus today, to be honest. I am a citizen of a self-proclaimed Christian nation that, given a pretty clear choice, voted to call immigrants vermin, voted to deport children who were born here, voted to take away health insurance for the sick, voted to side with Vladimir Putin, voted to prosecute opposition leaders for being the opposition, voted to look the other way at insurrection, voted to eradicate the existence of transgendered people, voted to make our gay and lesbian neighbors afraid, voted to make my Jewish neighbors afraid of Nazi rallies in Madison Square Garden, and above all voted for a ticket that praises those “who hate the right people.” When the American people tell me who they are, I believe them.
Democrats are not going to change that with a different candidate or a different message (unless they change their message to hate and fear). We face an “opportunity” now similar what Jerusalem faced when the Babylonians were outside the walls or that Germans faced once Hitler took power in 1933. It’s the opportunity to learn, eventually, from a disaster that is too late to stop. A lot of human suffering will occur in the meantime. And more people, especially women and the young, will run for their lives from an American version of Christianity that to them looks like a religion of hate.
"At that time I will put you on trial. I am eager to witness against all sorcerers and adulterers and liars. I will speak against those who cheat employees of their wages, who oppress widows and orphans, or who deprive the foreigners living among you of justice, for these people do not fear me,” says the Lord.
Malachi 3:5
Particular to Trump's being elected and the probable and imminent rise of Pierre Poilievre to Canada's PM, I wonder if we are being put on trial.
We are entering an era where to demonize the foreigner is not only permitted but praised…where the incomes of the rich grow at the expense of living wages for low income people…where the cries of the widow, the orphan and socially orphaned are tuned out.
I think I'm channeling Hosea, too. He railed against the worship of idols in ancient Israel, much like liberals rail against the worship of would-be dictators and the betrayal of values associated with human dignity, justice and decency. In an extreme act of performative prophecy, Hosea named one of his children "Not My People" to show that God no longer stood with people who betrayed the foundational Jewish values that centered around love for God and love for neighbor. I'm thinking about Hosea today. These people--my American neighbors--saw hatred, prejudice, and cruelty on the ballot and they lapped it up. They are Not My People. There is no reaching them, and I'm done trying. As with ancient Israel, nothing will dissuade them from their chosen path until they experience a national catastrophe they brought upon themselves. God took them back, but I ain't Him.
I doubt that God would approve of this message. I know my pastor wouldn't. But I'm just being honest about where I am right now.
After much grieving and shock, let’s change the electoral process, REALLY take the money out of politics, and do a better job of decreasing fake news and false “facts.” How will we do all that?
I’m channeling the prophet Jeremiah more than Jesus today, to be honest. I am a citizen of a self-proclaimed Christian nation that, given a pretty clear choice, voted to call immigrants vermin, voted to deport children who were born here, voted to take away health insurance for the sick, voted to side with Vladimir Putin, voted to prosecute opposition leaders for being the opposition, voted to look the other way at insurrection, voted to eradicate the existence of transgendered people, voted to make our gay and lesbian neighbors afraid, voted to make my Jewish neighbors afraid of Nazi rallies in Madison Square Garden, and above all voted for a ticket that praises those “who hate the right people.” When the American people tell me who they are, I believe them.
Democrats are not going to change that with a different candidate or a different message (unless they change their message to hate and fear). We face an “opportunity” now similar what Jerusalem faced when the Babylonians were outside the walls or that Germans faced once Hitler took power in 1933. It’s the opportunity to learn, eventually, from a disaster that is too late to stop. A lot of human suffering will occur in the meantime. And more people, especially women and the young, will run for their lives from an American version of Christianity that to them looks like a religion of hate.
Seeing this verse in Malachi this morning:
"At that time I will put you on trial. I am eager to witness against all sorcerers and adulterers and liars. I will speak against those who cheat employees of their wages, who oppress widows and orphans, or who deprive the foreigners living among you of justice, for these people do not fear me,” says the Lord.
Malachi 3:5
Particular to Trump's being elected and the probable and imminent rise of Pierre Poilievre to Canada's PM, I wonder if we are being put on trial.
We are entering an era where to demonize the foreigner is not only permitted but praised…where the incomes of the rich grow at the expense of living wages for low income people…where the cries of the widow, the orphan and socially orphaned are tuned out.
I think I'm channeling Hosea, too. He railed against the worship of idols in ancient Israel, much like liberals rail against the worship of would-be dictators and the betrayal of values associated with human dignity, justice and decency. In an extreme act of performative prophecy, Hosea named one of his children "Not My People" to show that God no longer stood with people who betrayed the foundational Jewish values that centered around love for God and love for neighbor. I'm thinking about Hosea today. These people--my American neighbors--saw hatred, prejudice, and cruelty on the ballot and they lapped it up. They are Not My People. There is no reaching them, and I'm done trying. As with ancient Israel, nothing will dissuade them from their chosen path until they experience a national catastrophe they brought upon themselves. God took them back, but I ain't Him.
I doubt that God would approve of this message. I know my pastor wouldn't. But I'm just being honest about where I am right now.
Only thing I’ve read today that made sense. Youth. Refreshing. Truth.
Thank you for saying so. She's 25. My ceiling is her floor.
Yes to awl this. Great, concise points.
After much grieving and shock, let’s change the electoral process, REALLY take the money out of politics, and do a better job of decreasing fake news and false “facts.” How will we do all that?