Trump was received as the Messiah by screaming clapping white evangelical right-wingers. They see Trump as a path to revenge on secularism, gays, women, “them” and the future.
Stephen K. Bannon and Sebastian Gorka — both fired from the White House by General Kelley, for their incontinent effusions of racist extremism — set the tone and agenda for the evangelicals.
“There is a time and season for everything,” said Bannon. “And right now, it’s a season for war against a GOP establishment.”
Amen? Amen from white evangelical America that has become the establishment of the GOP? Yes it seems.
Leaders of the religious right have conformed white American “Christian” social teaching to Fox News and Rush Limbaugh. Once evangelicals were all about stopping abortion, gays, wives and the rest from “un-biblical” behavior. Today according to Bannon, “economic nationalism” is the “centerpiece of value voters.”
My father Francis Schaeffer, would be shocked. Led by Bannon evangelicals have morphed into the new Nazi Party even using fascist terms like economic nationalism.
Do religious right leaders have any clue how insane they now appear?
Rather than representing a set of distinctive beliefs related to Jesus Christ, they are now a tail wagging the dog of Bannon’s fascist anarchy movement.
Evangelicals have traded places with the devil. The words “white evangelical” now conjure not Jesus, or the abolition of slavery, or even kindness but racial and ethnic divisions and hatred of migrants and refugees.
The religious right, led by the likes of Jerry Falwell Jr. Ralph Reed and Franklin Graham, has cultivated deep new ties to alt-right leaders. White evangelical voters now are part of white identity politics.
The religious right is the white supremacist’s movement’s not-too-bright whore.
Bannon promises that they can be “the folks who saved the Judeo-Christian West.” All that is required is to abandon the best of the Judeo-Christian tradition: a belief in the inherent value and dignity of every life.
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You know when the likes of Steve Bannon are invited to anything so much as resembling an American Evangelical Christian event just how far our ‘ so called ‘ American Christianity ‘ has de-evolved into idol worshipping lying hypocritical heretics
If I may though Frank … a minor pedantic correction .. Ayn Rand is now ‘ officially ‘ their god ( thus has it been since the 80’s ) … with Trump as their savior and Bannon as their less than holy spirit ( small case g , s and h intentional ) as what poses as American Christianity bows down before the alter of its many ” Small Metal Gods ” .. created in their own image .
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dAAEs4Um-IU
( do pay attention to the lyrics … though I’m sure they’re beyond Bryson’s abilities to comprehend )
And yes Frank … having known your father well back in the day … saying Francis would be shocked may be a bit of an understatement . I’d say more like horrified and appalled driven to abject righteous anger with him then following up with words and action at a level of harshness that would surprise many who think they know who he was .
… also ironic that Bannon makes claim to being Judeo Christian values savior when in fact he is the epitome of antisemitism … as proven by both his words and his actions .
As is Trump despite having a so called Jewish son-in-law . Doubt my words ? Look into the multiple antisemitism cases ( 57+ ) brought against Trump by the then JDL that he settled out of court . Oh … like Bannon and his son-in-law’s family … he’s a Zionist … but as anyone with a modicum of Jewish knowledge and history knows … not all Zionists are of the Jewish faith . Far from it actually . With a majority of the current crop of Pro Zionists being blatantly antisemitic
If I may Frank …. a friend amended my correction . John Galt is their god ( yes a fictional character in a poorly written novel )… with Ayn Rand as their Matthew , Mark , Luke and John – Trump as their savior .. and Bannon as their unholy spirit .
The New Testament does not require, or even support, government imposed socialism, legal abortion, same-sex marriage, open borders, DACA, or any part of the liberal agenda. It does support voluntary charity, voluntary business arrangements, getting along with others, if you can, freedom of association, private property, heterosexual marriage, religion that is free from government coercion, self-defense, etc.. What the Bible supports is what leftists call “theocracy”, or “fascism”. Leftists and Conservatives don’t want the same kind of country. And neither one will be content if the other is making policy. If Trump stopped being President, the Left would be unhappy with Mike Pence, or anyone they perceive as being “right-wing”. The only way to please Leftists is to put them in charge of the government. I don’t want that to happen.
Nor does the New Testament support hatred , bigotry , Hyper Capitalism ( or capitalism of any kind * ) racism or any of the the Seven Deadly Sins most of which the majority of the RNC and especially Trump have committed ( Trump has all seven down pat )
FYI … ever read the parable of the ” Wheat & the Weeds ” ? Funny thing Bryson … it as an imperative command demands that we not pull up the weeds lest we pull up the wheat as well . In other words in case this fine point went straight over your head … the NT and Christ demand ,,, Tolerance ! Not acceptance mind you … but tolerance for those around you .
What the New and Old Testament definitely does not support or condone post Kings is a theocracy of any kind .
Fact is Bryson … if you’d bother to read the Bible you’re so grievously in error about and consistently ignorant of you’d know that the moment Israel demanded a human king .. the age of Theocracy came to an abrupt end . With God telling Israel that from that point on their demand for human rulers would haunt all of mankind till the end of human existence . With no room in the New or Old for a return to Theocracy until the 2nd coming of Christ !
Oops … methinks thou hast stuck thy foot in thy mouth once again Bryson !
Damn Bryson … the things you learn when you actually read the Bible rather than regurgitate the blatant heresy verbatim being fed to you by heretical leaders more concerned with their bank accounts than any semblance of the Truth .
* re; Capitalism . I dare you to come up with one … just one solitary scripture or passage not proof texted or pulled out of context that in any way shape or form defends or supports capitalism . Just one … I dare you !
Martin,
First, lets agree on the definition of capitalism. According to the American Heritage Dictionary, capitalism is: An economic system characterized by a free market and open competition in which goods are produced for profit, labor is performed for wages, and the means of production and distribution are privately owned. Do you agree with that definition? Any changes?
Seriously ? Thats the best you’re capable of ? A dictionary definition having no relation what so ever to the current reality at hand ?
Suffice it to say Bryson I’ve once again laid down the challenges with you once again retreating to pithy secondary challenges before meeting the initial one at hand and irrelevant definitions to the discussion at hand
… but regardless of how irrelevant the dictionary definition of capitalism has become in the US … the challenge is … to name one passage in the entire Bible that justifies and condones capitalism .
The eighth and tenth Commandments support private property. Ex. 20:15, 17
The fourth Commandment supports work. Ex. 20:9
Proverbs 6:6-8 encourages work and planning ahead for future needs.
Matthew 25: 14-28 Talks about trading, lending, making a profit.
There are several other scriptures that support private enterprise, private property, making a profit in the marketplace.
BTW … you won’t agree but it is the fact never the less . What we have in the US today is Hyper-Capitalism on the verge of becoming Anachro – Capitalism ( Anachro as in anarchy ) having more to do with Ayn Rand’s definition of capitalism rather than any dictionary definition which the majority of economists across the land regardless of which side of the aisle they’re on or what their beliefs may be are in total agreement on
And speaking of Ayn Rand … like to take a guess as to how many of todays Evangelical and Roman Catholic leaders not to mention members of congress and the senate bow down before the Gospel of Ayn Rand ?
And what does Ayn Rand stand for ? In summation and in her own words … Greed and avarice are to be considered virtues whereas selflessness , giving and charity are .. vices verging on weakness and sin .
Pretty much contradicts every word of the NT … don’t it ? Fact is Ayn Rand’s philosophy is the polar opposite of the Words of Christ and the Apostles . Yet the likes of Joel Olsteen etc not to mention Pence , Ryan etc not only read and follow her words … but highly recommend them to their congregations / staff as well
8th and 10th . Oh really ? Hmmm … lets see now ;
8th ” Thou shalt not steal ”
10th ” Thou shalt not covet thy neighbors wife , house or servants ”
And just how in your warped self serving hypocritical perspective do either of those in any way shape or form justify or condone … capitalism ?
Proverbs 6: 6-8 ? Once again nary a mention of the word ‘ profit ‘ or anything so much as resembling capitalism .
Matt 25 ; 14-28 ? Seriously ? Gotta ask my little heretic . Exactly which interpretation of the Bible are you using ? The New Ayn Rand International Version ? For your elicitation Bryson the parable of the talents has nothing to do with profit or capitalism and everything to do with how one uses the GIFTs and TALENTs ( gee … there’s a clue ) one has been given … relating directly to the passage about keeping ones light under a basket
Golly Bryson .. talk about injecting ones own bias and agenda into the Bible while blatantly ignoring the obvious . e.g. Congratulations … the very epitome of ‘ Proof texting ‘
Martin, The Bible supports free enterprise, private property, and making a profit. Honestly, of course.
As far as your ludicrous comment at the end about ‘ Leftists ‘ running the US . Funny thing Bryson … thats yet to of happened . Fact is … we’ve had nothing remotely close to a ‘ Leftist ‘ government in our entire history . But even if it did happen … I leave you with a quote from Martin Luther … knowing that in Martin Luther’s day the Turks were W.Europe and especially Germany/Austria’s sworn enemy ;
” Better for the Prince to be a just Turk than an unjust Christian ”
Think about that for a moment .
By the way Bryson … the NT not only condones but demands Socialism ( among Believers ) … once again … try reading the Bible rather than continually misquoting and misstating what is Written .
Martin. Prove it. Chapter and verse.
Bryson . You first !
One passage than in any way shape or form justifies capitalism . Just one !
Suffice it to say Bryson the Bible only mentions homosexuality 10 time thru out the entire OT and NT .. whereas the evils of greed and avarice garner well over a 100 passages .
You know I’m not defending greed. I’m defending making a profit honestly. The Bible supports that.
FYI According to the Rules of Engagement as well as Debate it is your responsibility to respond to the initial challenge first before laying down one of your own . A little something you seem to be in abject fear of doing … knowing as you do that you’re not only wrong but incapable
People are free to share their possessions voluntarily in the NT. Key word is voluntary.
Perhaps it might behove you to study the original languages of the Bible yourself … or at the very least place yourself under the teaching of a pastor who has . Because my little hypocrite /heretic … if you did .. you’d know that is an imperative command for those with to share with those without .. not a suggestion or a recommendation in the NT . As in … Do It or else !
Honestly your comments and replies are beginning to remind me of a wiffle ball .e.g. A thin plastic veneer sphere riddled with holes containing zero substance within allowing every breeze and wind pass to thru freely regardless of how vile it may be
And how about just once when commenting you actually comment on the information contained in the original article rather than immediately reverting to your blatant agenda and heretical propaganda ?
Finally … back to the ‘ Leftists ‘ you live in such fear of . Just who pray tell might these Leftists be ? HRC ? Sorry .. she’s a NeoLiberal . Pelosi ? The same . Uncle Bernie ? Nope .. not him either …. try more like a Democratic Socialist . Fact is Bryson with the exceptions of the very minority American Communist Party and a a few minute radical fringe groups there’s nary a Leftist to be found thru out the land
…. and ahhh … when it comes to any moral issue .. may I remind you twas thou that stated unequivocally on an earlier page that the choice of an abjectly immoral individual such as Trump was a ‘ moral ‘ decision ?
Suffice it to say Bryson … issues concerning morals and morality are not exactly your strong suit .
After careful consideration and contemplation I’ve come to the conclusion Bryson that an apology is owed on my part to the other readers of this site . So here it is . Mea culpa for my being foolish enough to attempt to argue Biblical Truth , Logic and Politics with an uninformed , propagandized volitionally mindless sycophant thoroughly incapable of independent thought wasting endless digital space in what is an exercise in futility .
From this point on I shall simply call you on the carpet when you respond to Franks articles with irrelevant , unsubstantiated , biased and bigoted agenda based propaganda as you’ve consistently done … as well as when it seems worthwhile point out your multiple errors , fake facts and ludicrous misinformation .
Martin, Too bad others are not as impressed with you as you are. LOL.
” Martin, Too bad others are not as impressed with you as you are. LOL. ”
So in a moment of abject desperation knowing full well you’ve been crushed by as Frank’s father would say ” the hard weight of truth ” you resort to pithy pre-adolescent attempts at insult . Golly … you really do worship before the throne of the Donald … don’t you !
1) As stated the OT states quite clearly that the age of Theocracy came to an end never to be reinstated
2) What you and your kind are in support of is an Ecclesiocracy not a Theocracy . And thru out the OT and the NT there is no support for Eccleciocracy . In fact the polar opposite . Not to mention such a state being in direct violation of the US Constitution and Bill of Rights … making you both a heretic , hypocrite and a traitor to the country you claim to love
Tell Schaeffer. He’s the one who keeps harping about a theocracy.
I don’t believe I ever claimed to love the USA. That’s another of your mistakes.
I am ashamed to say that I am a Christian any more. We’ve lost our so called Christian witness. Is it worth fighting for?
Yeckl, If you are ashamed to say you are a Christian, it is very likely that you are not a Christian.
In light of the likes of the heretical and hypocritical likes of yourself blathering across the net not to mention the majority of hypocritical Evangelicals and Roman Catholics in support of an abject immoral avarice and greed addled narcissist ( Trump ) anyone with half a brain and a modicum knowledge as to what it truly means to be a Christian ( with a capital C ) would be ashamed and embarrassed to be placed in the same category as christians ( small case c intentional ) such as yourself
Fact is you are not a follower of Christ . But rather a worshiper before the thrown of a christ ( again small case c ) of your own making created in your own image and that of the heretics and liars who’s alter you’ve sacrifice you’ve very soul upon
And the fact is Bryson … your only reason for commenting here is the further and propagate the blatant agenda based propaganda you in your abject sycophancy have fallen for . Not to engage in intelligent discussion and debate
I know I’m right with God, and it does not matter what you think you know.
The saddest part is their zealotry won’t allow them to see how far from Jesus they have strayed.
Amen and again I say sister !
“My father Francis Schaeffer, would be shocked. Led by Bannon evangelicals have morphed into the new Nazi Party even using fascist terms like economic nationalism.”
You insult the Nazis!
Even those monsters ended income inequality in 30’s Germany Frank and so white male evangelical Christian republicans are much worse.
All I can do now that I am old and on social security is write poetry.
“What is truth
In a sea of lies
My favorite bible hero
Pontius Pilate who governs well
What is truth
America has endless war
A church in love with endless lies
A church denies peace
Prefers war instead
Evangelical no more
First casualty of truth”
Nine
Frank,
“The religious right is the white supremacist’s movement’s not-too-bright whore.”
Brilliant writing to get the point across using wit humor and bitting sarcasm.
You do know one of the alt rights new mascots did get one thing right by calling what we have in America now an infowar.
And so it is war and instead of bombs and bullets we pick up our pens.
Well done
Nine