Today’s blog
Lynn Murphy Mark
Which is it?
“Jesus said to his followers, “The time is coming when I won’t be physically with you anymore. You need to know how to follow me, know my suffering, comfort me, and be with me. I live with you and among you in the presence of the poor and the outsider. Serve them and you are serving me. Befriend them and you will be friends of God. Shut them out, harass them, deny them what they need to sustain their lives, and you deny God.” From Matthew 25: 31 – 46 and Richard Rohr’s meditation 07/18/23
“The (Republican) party appears to have fully embraced the antidemocratic ideology advanced by authoritarian leaders like Russia’s president Vladimir Putin and Hungary’s prime minister Viktor Orbán, who argue that the post–World War II era, in which democracy seemed to triumph, is over. They claim that the tenets of democracy—equality before the law, free speech, academic freedom, a market-based economy, immigration, and so on—weaken a nation by destroying a “traditional” society based in patriarchy and Christianity.” From Heather Cox Richardson, Letters From an American, 07/18.23
I read these two offerings every morning. First, Richard Rohr’s meditation, then Heather Cox Richardson. This morning I read them both and my brain is in turmoil. I have decided that it’s confusing and disturbing to be a liberal Democratic Christian at this time in our history. I read about Ron DeSantis and his anti-human legislation – bans on abortions after six weeks, don’t say Gay, no transgender care, limiting academic freedom, encouraging book banning, and God knows how many more repressive measures. Is he as evil as he appears to me, or am I being “too sensitive”?
Then there is the information yesterday in the New York Times that 45’s acolytes are planning to severely limit the power of the Federal Government, while strengthening the power of the President and the Oval Office. That is 45’s dream – to be crowned King, or at least Dictator Supreme, if he wins next year’s election.
More from Richardson: “What we’re trying to do is identify the pockets of independence and seize them,” said Russell T. Vought, who ran Trump’s Office of Management and Budget and who now advises the right-wing House Freedom Caucus. They envision a “president” who cannot be checked by the Congress or the courts.” This statement gives me chills.
I know that the next 15 months are going to be filled with political advertisements, requests for donations, stump speeches, and many attempts to win me over to one side or the other. Or maybe Joe Manchin will launch a third party bid – weakening the Democratic Party’s sphere of influence. Meanwhile people like Marjorie Taylor Green and Lauren Boebert will be campaigning, if they can keep from killing each other on the House floor.
Here’s the trick question: how did a failed reality TV star manage to create MAGA? Who gave him the idea? I can’t see 45 coming up with this all by himself, but whoever did knew just how to appeal to people who feel they are losing white America’s influence. Presumably, these folks are 45’s base that now are being courted by politicians who recognize them as a force to be reckoned with.
In my opinion, 45’s most malevolent acts were intended to protect white supremacy, to isolate the USA on the world stage, to keep black and brown people from immigrating, and to siphon as many dollars as possible to the rich and influential backers of his policies.
So, which is it? Jesus’ call to serve the least among us? Or 45’s vision of a patriarchal, white male ruling class?