Evangelical Pastor Calls Out Trump Supporters Who Ask “What Would Jesus Do?”
Read Time:5 Minute, 27 Second
by Mark Bear
It is time – well past time – for evangelicals across this land to take a stand against the very party they support consistently: the Republicans. No, I am not trying to proselytize, but instead am holding to account those of us who say we are evangelical Christians.
Since passing their procedural hurdle in the Senate, the GOP is throwing every alternative to the ACA up against the wall to see which one sticks. It is absolutely disgusting. They have had seven freaking years. This just proves the conservative’s disdain for ObamaCare had nothing to do with it, but everything to do with their hatred of all things Obama. Seven freaking years. 2555 days. 15,330 hours…..
…and there hasn’t been a single viable solution. They have worked relentlessly to cripple and destabilize, thereby sabotaging the current law from day one of enactment, versus implementing it in the manner it was intended. Make no mistake: This is the exact same party where “White Evangelicals” voted overwhelming for Trump by a margin of 81% to 19%. Think on that one, folks. Evangelicals across this land supported a guy who is a womanizer; a person who groped women only to brag about it, and ripped people off from their hard earned money, along with a host of other unsavory deeds that would make Jesus weep.
In addition, think on this: that same man promised “insurance for everybody,” when asked repeatedly. Now however? Not so much. His latest statement to the media as they bragged how the GOP alternative failed, was “Let Obamacare fail… I’m not going to own it.”
Now, he just wants – nay, needs – a legislative win. Why? One word: Russia. Oh, and add “diversion” to that one.
Read more: An Open Letter To Pat Robertson from a Former Student of Regent University
As a pastor who is licensed and ordained, having served in one of the most conservative of denominations – Southern Baptist – I find myself wondering, “whether those within the evangelical community still believe it was worth their vote?” Or, do they feel like Judas Iscariot, wanting to give the Republicans and the occupant of our Oval Office the kiss of betrayal? If not, how can they justify their continued support? The words of Jesus in Matthew 25:40 are clear for those professing belief, especially in public:
“And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me.’”
The entire lot of them needs to be tossed out with no ability to extend their respective health coverage. They are the party of values, right? Perhaps then they will have a bit of empathy for those without insurance.
Again: they have caused and continue to cause the problems with the ACA. The GOP. Not the law itself. These people complaining about the inadequacies of the law are totally correct. But, if we are going to be honest with one another — something I highly recommend at this critical juncture of our current political landscape — we cannot ignore how Republicans first legislatively blocked funding for the risk corridors (only for Marco Rubio to brag about it during the presidential debates) then sued and won against the previous administration over the law. They decided our nation is one where healthcare is not a right — but a privilege — all the while screaming out loud how they would “repeal and replace Obamacare.”
Perhaps it’s ourselves, Evangelicals and Christians, that we need to blame here. The truth of the matter is we’ve become not only a society which relies upon rugged individualism but also a society that believes “churches” can pick up the tab. Never mind how just one of these illnesses with one person, would put a rural church “out of business.” I ought to know, as I served two of these churches. Or, never mind what occurs when the economy turns south, as it did in 2008, due to bad policy including extensive tax breaks for the wealthiest in our land, while victimizing those in need; even those in need of food.
So please: I am sick and tired of folks within our Christian faith asking people outside our churches, “what would Jesus do?” You see? We don’t get to ask that question when we blindly support a party and man who wants to rip health insurance away from an estimate of 22 to 32 million people.
Despite all of the above, the Senate was decided by the electorate. No way of accusing them of gerrymandering in this, as they formed the congressional districts, folks. They control the Senate because the people sent them there. Worse? Again: 81% of White Evangelicals voted for the man.
What does it say about “us,” as citizens, folks? More importantly, what does it say, when we who profess belief in a God others cannot see, nor want anything to do with, go around publicly telling them how badly they need to experience Christ, but then support an initiative, such as this? The disconnect could not be more potent.
We are as George Barna discovered in his recent research, and, by those who participated in his study, acting more like the religious rulers of Jesus’ day – the Pharisees – than we are like Him. And remember what Jesus had to say about those pharisees, in Matthew 23:27, folks?
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside, but on the inside are full of dead men’s bones and every impurity.” Those of us who insist on making our profession public, must take a stand: now. The sooner; the better. Why? Because each day we have people within our demographic still extolling the praises of this man, we lose another day of credibility. “No man can serve two masters,” remember?
Remember: James 2:9 tells us, “But if you show partiality, you are committing a sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors.” This law proposes tax breaks to the wealthiest while ripping health care insurance away from millions of people. Is this not a potent example of “partiality?”
Originally published at AmericanNewsX and reprinted with permission of the author.
Featured image via screen capture from Youtube
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There are a few people who are religious and who literally walk their faith, but there damned few of them. Most don’t seem to be able to put their portrayed faith into action.
All religion is bullshit. Sorry Dr. Bear don’t mean to insult but that’s the way I feel about it. All bullshit and all Xtians can be hypocrits.
This is a good article. Using their own weapons against them exposes the hypocrisy without condemning the idea.
You got out of South Georgia just in time.
Yes I did Ken. Aside from the oppressive heat the hypocrisy was more than I could take.
The people who love Jesus are being told by some of these evangelical leaders that their fellow human beings should not be asking the government for their health or wellbeing. Instead they should be asking God. And if they are not healthy, or wealthy, it is their own fault.
I have no doubt some – SOME – of the leaders believe this because that is what their leaders are telling them.
But those leaders gave up God a long time ago. This is about power. They want it. Ever since Reagan and Falwell sold their souls to each other, this has been growing.
And here we are.
I sincerely hope Mark Bear is successful in getting his message through to the people who need it.
This quote fits Trump to a “T” Good article!
“But if you show partiality, you are committing a sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors.”
I’m with Mike on this one. All the bible quoting in the world won’t turn hate into love, nor will it educate the ignorant. On the contrary, the bible is more often than not interpreted to suit the needs and wants of the viewer. Truth is in the eye of the beholder.
In my somewhat jaded view of the world, I’ve found hypocrisy to be the rule, rather than the exception, with a lot of christians. Not all, but a lot. When I lived in South Georgia it wasn’t unusual to talk to a so-called christian who had just left Sunday services talk about “hanging niggers.” One standout was an 18 year old who was bragging about his new shotgun. He said he got it to “shoot niggers.” Yep. Those christians. Always asking “what would Jesus do?”