How White, Fake Christians Participated in the Demise of the Grand Old Party

Op-ed by TheWiseOldFart

Fact: the Republican Party began to take its final breaths in 1981. Today, the Party of Lincoln is nothing but a memory. There are many reasons that this travesty occurred, but at the center are efforts by one extremist group of leaders calling themselves “Evangelicals.”

[The term evangelical refers to a worldwide movement within Protestant Christianity that emphasizes the authority of the Bible, the "good news" (gospel) of salvation through Jesus Christ, and the personal experience of being "born”]

IF YOU IGNORE THE TEACHINGS OF JESUS CHRIST, YOU ARE NOT A CHRISTIAN

Growing up Catholic, and attending Parochial school, I read the Bible, and studied the basic concepts of Judaism, the Religion of Islam, and learned the beliefs of Buddhism, Sikhism, and other less popular faiths.

For those of you who have never read the Bible, cover to cover, it is divided into two parts: the Old Testament, and the New Testament.

The Old Testament is composed of legends, and other tales comparable to fairytales we read to our children. Many of the men who wrote the stories used the Old Testament to profess their personal beliefs. When I read this part of the Bible, I had many questions which could never be answered.

The New Testament was composed by about eight writers. What most people remember are the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.

This part of the Bible contains the actions and words of Jesus Christ during his few years as a prophet, a teacher, and for devout Christians, the Son of God. It is this part of the Bible which contains the principles, ideals, and instructions offered to Christ’s followers and to establish Christianity.

In 1981, President Ronald Reagan openly expressed his support of Christianity as the one, true religion. His personal beliefs inspired Evangelical leaders to organize and become the Christian Religious Right. This group was given complete access to Republicans in all three branches of government. This is a direct violation of the first sentence in the First Amendment of the Bill of Rights.

Let me refresh your memory.

First Amendment: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

Our Founding Fathers created a nation focused on individual and human rights. Religion was a major factor in their decision to leave the country of their birth and establish a new life in the New World. Freedom of and freedom from religion were clearly at the forefront of what has become known as the “greatest document ever written.”

HOW DID THIS HAPPEN?

The Christian Religious Right is a lobby. I make a claim that all lobbies are in violation of the 14^th Amendment which guarantees equal protection under the law. Only the super-rich can afford lobbyists who are supported by enormous wealth and receive direct access to America’s legislators.

WHITE, RELIGIOUS EXTREMISTS ARE BY DEFINITION DOMESTIC TERRORISTS

The very fact that Evangelical leaders continue to support the Antichrist, who uses the secular name of Donald Trump, is proof that they are not true Christians. Trump is the opposite of a Christian. He constantly ignores and violates the teachings of Jesus Christ.

Trump is a convicted felon, a confirmed sexual predator, a lifetime criminal, and supports fascism which has no belief in the existence of a loving and caring God. He is neither a Christian nor an American.

Trump is undoubtedly a domestic terrorist. He constantly preaches anger, hatred, and violence in his name. This one old, obese man is the reason hate crimes have increased by more than 800 percent since 2015.

America’s principles are founded in compassion and understanding. I am a true patriot. I was raised by good and loyal Americans who taught me to respect all people and to make attempts to understand that the differences between us are few and the similarities, many.

I made a personal choice about 64 years ago. I decided that organized religion was not for me. However, I continue to live my life based on a search for deeper spirituality. However, I know many devout Christians and will respect and fight to protect their beliefs without exception. I denounce fake Christians. Most politicians claim to be Christians, but by their own actions and words prove they are only pretending to be avid followers of the teachings of Jesus Christ.

Unfortunately, over my nearly 80 years on this planet, I have learned that fake Christians far outnumber those who actually live their lives based on the instructions of Jesus Christ.

The same is mostly true about my Muslim friends and acquaintances. The teachings of Jesus Christ and Mohammad are very similar.

According to my standards, using religion for personal advantage is a mortal sin.

Op-ed by James Turnage

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Sources: time.com: What White Christians Have Wrought

contendingmodernities.nd.edu: QAnon, Conspiracy, and White Evangelical Apocalypse