The inevitable insurrection occurred on January 6, 2021 when America witnessed the first attack on the U.S. Capitol since the British did it in 1814, during the War of 1812. It was the first, organized insider attack against our nation since cannons fired on Fort Sumter to begin the American Civil War in 1861. Many believe president Trump, along with other, prominent politicians and religious figures were responsible. An impeachment trial will likely not punish the most guilty. No doubt the members of the mob who are identified will have their day in court, but those most responsible will slink back into the shadows.
A Senate trial is, by definition, a toothless, political sideshow, especially now, given the fear GOP politicians have of the former president’s supporters. In fact, the vote to call the process unconstitutional was their cowardly way of avoiding responsibility and guilt by association. They would rather debate the process than adopt a moral position. The party of Lincoln has proven to be more like the party of Nixon, except that GOP finally had enough. Certainly, we cannot expect them to take their Senate juror oath any more seriously than they have their oaths of office. You’d be wrong to conclude Republicans fear the former president. They do not fear Donald Trump. They fear the mob behind him. And that is the Presidents most potent weapon.
Homeland Security issued a national domestic terror alert this week because the threat persists. And it persists because the lies and cover-up persist. House leader McCarthy tried to blame all Americans for the insurrection, but that is simply a smoke screen intended to conceal his party’s culpability. If we conservative Christians share any responsibility at all, it is our lack of outrage and silence in the aftermath of the insurrection.
That mob has been conditioned from both the bully pulpit and the church pulpit to believe they are doing the right thing, indeed, the will of God. Sociologists refer to the unholy view of Christianity that so obviously perverts the teaching of Jesus, Christian Nationalism. Some folks, who call themselves followers of Jesus, have taken their eyes off him and placed their trust in politics and politicians. It is up to us to lovingly guide our brothers and sisters back into a Church that practices, not just praises, the teaching of Jesus.
Admittedly, I was angry as I watched people carrying Bibles and the banner of Jesus while yelling obscenities and making murderous threats against elected officials, including the vice-president. This is what I wish our ex-president and the weak-kneed GOP members of Congress would hear from the Church. You do not have the privilege of encouraging others to kick down our door, attack our family, bust up our furniture, steal our tv and then blame us. Yet, that is exactly what representative Kevin McCarthy did. Nor do they have the standing to tell us to forgive, forget and move on as many Trump-supporting politicians have done. I suspect most of us have already forgiven, but I doubt we will ever forget. It was a knife to the heart of our nation akin to 9/11.
Genuine followers of Jesus are not the ones pouring gas on the fire intemperate words and actions ignited. But the fire is still raging and GOP elected officials pretend not to see anything—just as they pretended not to see the ex-president’s immoral actions. Until he, and others who perpetuated the stolen election lies admit responsibility and take public action to restore confidence in our electoral process, the rift in our nation will remain an open wound.
Recent Comments