Lacking in grace, Evangelicals have earned their bad reputation.

[lees1975]

https://signalpress.blogspot.com/2024/09/lacking-in-grace-evangelicals-have.html

A political leftist who demonstrates love for God by loving his neighbor is far more Christian than a far right wing conservative Evangelical Republican who hates all of his neighbors who don't think like, act like and believe like he does.

Lying, character assassination, mis-quoting and mis-interpreting public statements, failing to verify statements made that are used to undermine the integrity of someone else, I can't find any place in the inerrant, infallible Bible that makes these particular "attributes" identifying marks of a Christian. The apostle John does say they identify an attitude of being he calls "antichrist," but they bear no resemblance to the characteristics that identify true Christianity. Yet there is the exact strategy used by Basham to call out those within the Evangelical fold she believes to be "traitors" and "leftists."

I'm not going to repeat all of the infighting, accusations of lying, of being "leftist," or "traitors" or wolves in sheep's clothing that Basham slings around in her book. I wouldn't recommend reading it. The article that is referenced here more than makes the point.

But I will say this. Any Christian leader who claims that a Christian is identified by how they vote, and that true Christians cannot vote for Democrats is directly contradicting the words of the Bible's authors. Being a political leftist doesn't disqualify anyone from being Christian, and a political leftist who demonstrates love for God by loving his neighbor is far more Christian than a far right wing conservative Evangelical Republican who hates all of his neighbors who don't think like, act like and believe like he does.

[no_hypocrisy]

1. Something similar these days with Judaism and MAGA.

There's a radio talk show host in NYC (RW, of course) who has been constantly ranting about how "real Jews" can't vote for anyone but Trump. They are "shellfish Jews", meaning they aren't valid, aren't pious, are self-hating Jews. The only way to validate their religious existence is to prove it by supporting and voting for Trump.

While I don't believe his words have any significant influence, if any, using religion as a cudgel to propel a political platform (excuse the alliteration), is one of the reasons Church & State should be kept separate and apart.

[lees1975]

2. They are trying to do just that.

And they're sending Christianity straight to hell.