This morning, in an unhinged social media post that included an F-bomb, the President of the United States threatened to commit war crimes against Iran. He accentuated his rant with a “Praise be to Allah,” which, no doubt, was meant to troll Muslims everywhere. All this on Easter Sunday. Given the large numbers of Christians who make up his base, I can only surmise that these presidential remarks, made on the holiest of Christian holidays, are a reflection of their Christian values.
Earlier this week, the Supreme Court ruled that the current Colorado ban on conversion therapy violates the First Amendment rights of the plaintiff in the case. Kaley Chiles, a Christian counselor and licensed therapist, argued that the ban impeded her free speech and ability to “counsel” her clients on a treatment that has been labeled as harmful by all major medical institutions. In short, Chiles made the case that “free speech” prevails over child abuse. The Supreme Court apparently agreed in an 8-1 decision. (Respect and thanks to Justice Brown Jackson for registering the lone dissent.) I might note that Chiles was represented by the Alliance Defending Freedom, an extreme anti-LGBTQ+ organization that the Southern Poverty Law Center has designated as a hate group. I’ll also note that this ruling was made on Trans Day of Visibility. Go figure.
WTF with Christians?
Why is it always Christians who weaponize religion to harass and torment other people? They claim to want to “protect children,” but are apparently okay with endless school shootings at home and bombs being dropped on far away classrooms. They call drag queens reading to little kids “groomers” but have no problem with youth pastors (and politicians) engaging in pedophilia. When it comes to “values,” these Christians are cherry-picking motherfuckers. And what in God’s name is their obsession with what’s inside other people’s pants?
It goes without saying that not all Christians are hateful and nosey. I grew up in the Presbyterian Church. I don’t remember any kind of cruel rhetoric or “othering” of marginalized people. The teachings I recall were about kindness, love and helping others. Unfortunately, the actions displayed by many Christians today, especially Evangelicals and Christian Nationalists, are antithetical to anything I understand as “Christian.”
Christians are not the sole arbiters of morality, righteousness or the will of the Almighty. (In my opinion, many of them are actual poster children for immorality and/or, in many cases, criminality.) And as such, they don’t have the right to legislate their dubious values. That’s why we have the Establishment Clause. But sadly, even constitutional guardrails are breaking down. Christian hatred, fear mongering and cruelty are running amok.
The good news is that the majority of us – regardless of any religious affiliation or non-affiliation – embrace values of love, compassion and respect for all humanity. We reject the abject malignity of the Evangelicals and Christian Nationalists that are presently poisoning our body politic. We reject it. And we’re committed to fighting against it.
To the people of Iran, please know that the rantings of a deranged president don’t reflect the will of the majority in the U.S. We are so terribly sorry for the atrocities you’re enduring. All we want for you is peace.
To trans, nonbinary and queer people everywhere, please know that we see you, we love you and we support your right to live your truth. They may be coming for you, but they have to get through us first.
To those who observe, I wish you a Happy Easter. To those who pseudo observe, do unto others.
