A lot of people probably don't care much about the new pope, but I appreciate any world leader with such a large audience who makes the case for peace, love and kindness. In Matthew 25:31-46, Jesus separates the sheep from the goats. On his right he put those who gave food to the hungry, drink to the thirsty, helped the poor, welcomed strangers, etc. On his left he put MAGA.
According to our nation’s founding documents, all people have unalienable rights which it’s the duty of government to protect. For example, the 14th Amendment forbids the government from depriving any person of their liberty without due process of law. Trump has now twice sworn to support and defend the Constitution, but when asked in an interview if he’s supposed to uphold it, he responded, “I don’t know.” Why? Because he couldn’t care less. In other words, Trump and his cult are not only unchristian, but anti-American.
No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a grand jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia, when in actual service in time of war or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.
Once again: No person.
Your comments regarding Christian injunctions and our founding documents suggests you might be interested in Become America, by Eric Liu, suggesting a sort of secular religion/church of Americanism based on our founding documents and history. (It was written after Trump's first election, before he was inaugurated.)
Fake Christians (those who dance to the tune of a father figure who tells them what the Good Books say) always torment, oppress and even slaughter True Christians, along with any and all non-Christians they encounter. Generally (and metaphorically) speaking
History shows that when religion and politics mix, religion usually suffers unless political and religious power are in the hands of the same person or group. The Reformation was led in many respects by Henry VIII. He was in need of an heir and money and when the Church failed to condone his divorce, Henry created his own church and Catholic Europe was never the same. Southern religious leaders prior to the American Civil War begged those who used the Bible to justify slavery not to do so. They worried their flock would no longer believe that the written Bible no longer represented the true word of God. One of the first acts after the end of the American Revolution by Jefferson, Madison, and Henry was to abolish the mandatory tithe to the Angelicin church. This resulted in the Church having to find other sources of income. Some didn't. I think Henry V had it right when he admonished a solider on a late night walk when he said that the King (read government) was responsible for seeing to the welfare of his people. An individual was responsible for saving his soul.
Leo XIV is currently a Rorschach for everybody, it seems. Some right-wingers see him as MAGA, but Laura Loomer says he is a Marxist. Some on the left hope he's Francis-gone-woker, while others think he's Pius XII gone-fascister.
The interest in all things papal currently going around shows me how deeply we are attached to our superstitions. Let the new Leo put on his magic slippers and pointy hat and tell us the truth....which I will loudly proclaim if it agrees with my thinking.
A lot of people probably don't care much about the new pope, but I appreciate any world leader with such a large audience who makes the case for peace, love and kindness. In Matthew 25:31-46, Jesus separates the sheep from the goats. On his right he put those who gave food to the hungry, drink to the thirsty, helped the poor, welcomed strangers, etc. On his left he put MAGA.
According to our nation’s founding documents, all people have unalienable rights which it’s the duty of government to protect. For example, the 14th Amendment forbids the government from depriving any person of their liberty without due process of law. Trump has now twice sworn to support and defend the Constitution, but when asked in an interview if he’s supposed to uphold it, he responded, “I don’t know.” Why? Because he couldn’t care less. In other words, Trump and his cult are not only unchristian, but anti-American.
... and the 5th:
Amendment V
No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a grand jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia, when in actual service in time of war or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.
Once again: No person.
Your comments regarding Christian injunctions and our founding documents suggests you might be interested in Become America, by Eric Liu, suggesting a sort of secular religion/church of Americanism based on our founding documents and history. (It was written after Trump's first election, before he was inaugurated.)
Thanks, I'll check it out. Sounds kind of like a book by Stephen Colbert: I Am America (And So Can You!).
Amen. For Christians to imagine that Trump somehow reflects Christian teachings is like thinking Putin cares about Ukrainians. Trump’s behavior mocks Christian values: https://open.substack.com/pub/bvzcvz/p/christian-teachings-and-maga?r=30hc1h&utm_medium=ios
Fake Christians (those who dance to the tune of a father figure who tells them what the Good Books say) always torment, oppress and even slaughter True Christians, along with any and all non-Christians they encounter. Generally (and metaphorically) speaking
History shows that when religion and politics mix, religion usually suffers unless political and religious power are in the hands of the same person or group. The Reformation was led in many respects by Henry VIII. He was in need of an heir and money and when the Church failed to condone his divorce, Henry created his own church and Catholic Europe was never the same. Southern religious leaders prior to the American Civil War begged those who used the Bible to justify slavery not to do so. They worried their flock would no longer believe that the written Bible no longer represented the true word of God. One of the first acts after the end of the American Revolution by Jefferson, Madison, and Henry was to abolish the mandatory tithe to the Angelicin church. This resulted in the Church having to find other sources of income. Some didn't. I think Henry V had it right when he admonished a solider on a late night walk when he said that the King (read government) was responsible for seeing to the welfare of his people. An individual was responsible for saving his soul.
Religion suffers when it focuses more on money and power than spirituality. You cannot serve God and Mammon.
Leo XIV is currently a Rorschach for everybody, it seems. Some right-wingers see him as MAGA, but Laura Loomer says he is a Marxist. Some on the left hope he's Francis-gone-woker, while others think he's Pius XII gone-fascister.
We shall see.
https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2025/05/is-the-new-pope-maga-or-woke-depends-who-you-ask/
https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:jrhiazkqht2txt7xiixad5v7/bafkreicijq2hyjejbo7j2d2kn7mvqvuhz5mz36m3elnust3agjs2txxj6y@jpeg
The interest in all things papal currently going around shows me how deeply we are attached to our superstitions. Let the new Leo put on his magic slippers and pointy hat and tell us the truth....which I will loudly proclaim if it agrees with my thinking.