TheWiseOldFart

Op-ed by TheWiseOldFart If you are 40 years old or under, you’ve probably never heard this old saying: “birds of a feather, flock together.” It’s ancient by modern standards, but it remains true in the 21 st century. It simply means that people who share the same beliefs support each other. This is one of those situations. I FIND IT UNBELIEVABLE THAT ANY TRULY RELIGIOUS PERSON COULD SUPPORT “TRUMPENSTEIN” Think about this: after four years of a failed presidency, indictments for 91 felonies, confirmation that he is a sexual predator, learning that he supports a godless and racist political ideology, fascism, and admission by his own words that if he is reelected, he will escalate his message of anger and hatred for anyone who is not loyal to him, Evangelical leaders continue to support Donald Trump. The explanation for this atrocity is found in a recent exposure of one of Trump’s most adamant supporters. Robert Morris is now the pastor at a Texas megachurch. He pretended to

Op-ed by TheWiseOldFart I have no doubt that most religious leaders, and their supporters, are genuine. They believe in their faith and their only goal is to share their beliefs in love, compassion, and understanding for all people. I was raised in the Catholic Church. For the most part, the priests and nuns I encountered were dedicated to their work, and lived according to their vows. This story is concerned with the destruction caused by extremists who distort the teachings of the creators of their chosen faith. THE THREE MAJOR RELIGIONS HAVE FAR MORE SIMILARITIES THAN DIFFERENCES Anyone who reads the Tora, the Koran, or the Bible from first page to last, will be somewhat surprised. The principles, guidelines for living a more spiritual life, and other basic concepts are extremely similar with only minor differences. Sadly, ambitious men continue to corrupt these treasured volumes and either rewrite them, or choose only the parts which support their vile, angry, and destructive views

Op-ed by TheWiseOld Fart   If you claim to be a Christian, and continue to support Donald Trump, you are a liar and a hypocrite. I was raised a Catholic, but I am a member of the largest group of Americans today, known as “Nones.” I reject organized religion and all the lies and propaganda from Evangelical leaders.   It is an undeniable fact that Trump is a sexual predator, a lifelong criminal, a misogynist, a homophobe, and a constant prevaricator. The pastor of the Christian church he claims to belong to revealed that “he has never seen him cross the threshold of that church.”   This has not stopped MAGA Republicans from claiming that “America has always been a Christian country.” I am required to inform these malcontents that history proves them wrong.   At the core of why our Founding Fathers created the United States of America is “freedom of religion.” That’s why the first line of the First Amendment reads, “ . Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion

Op-ed by TheWiseOldFart   Everyone and everything somehow receive a free pass when done in the name of Jesus Christ. This is the basic Christian philosophy, if you are one of millions who use the Bible for your own benefit, to protect your personal beliefs. Not for true believers. I dare anyone who proclaims themselves to be a Christian, to show me anywhere in the New Testament where Christ encourages and approves torture and murder. Until I was 16, I was a Catholic. As a pre-teen I considered the priesthood as an option. I read the Bible, and continue to believe that Jesus Christ was a man of peace and love. It is of no concern for me if He was the Son of God, or a prophet, his words had deep, spiritual meaning. Someone should explain these facts to radical “Christian” groups, supported by many of our leaders in Washington, including the last Supreme Court Justice confirmed by Moscow Mitch McConnell’s political party. On Thursday, 9/14/23, five adults and one 15-year-old girl were arr

Op-ed by TheWiseOldFart   It is an undeniable fact that the greatest danger to the American people is domestic terrorism. With this irrefutable truth comes an additional fact, Christian leaders have been complicit in the death and destruction of millions of men and women throughout history. In America, religious leaders promote anger, hatred, and instigate violence against those who disagree with their twisted beliefs. They are wealthy and pay no taxes, and giving up these privileges is unthinkable. The first Europeans to land on the shore of the new nation were members of religious institutions. No one was allowed to challenge the leaders of these groups, fearing alienation and retaliation. The term “God” was used continuously, and threats of “eternal damnation” were used as weapons to secure obedience and servitude. Between 1050 and 1300 military assaults, originating from Christian-dominated countries, were responsible for the deaths of Christians and Muslims alike, estimated to be