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Trump v. Jesus / the Bible
The Poor
To mock the poor is to show contempt for their Creator;
no one who laughs at their distress will go unpunished.
- Proverbs 17:5
Blessed are the poor. The Reign of God is yours!
Woe to the rich. Easy street’s about to end for you. – Jesus
- Luke 6:20-26
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Billboard / Meme:
To download images for social media, go to:
www.votecommongood.com/his-words-matter/
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FAQ + RESOURCES: Resisting Christian Nationalism:
act.faithfulamerica.org/signup/christian-nationalism-reso...
WEBINARS on ways to challenge "Christian" "Nationalism":
www.votecommongood.com/the-threat-of-christian-nationalism/
sojo.net/media/countering-christian-nationalism-good-faith
See also: "Jesus vs. Trump" | Politicon
Jill Wine-Banks with John Fugelsang:
Are you as confused as Billy as to why so many American Christians are rejecting Jesus’ (social) teachings in favor of Trump who is advocating the exact opposite, and hence is anti-Christ?
It’s complicated. I’ve tried to write a concise explanation and just end up with 2 or 3 pages—too long for the description box here!
So let me refer you to:
- April Ajoy: Star Spangled Jesus
- Jim Wallis: A False White Gospel
- Kristin du Mez: Jesus & John Wayne.
before I attempt a shorter explanation for Billy--& you!
A dimension perhaps beyond the scope of their books is that evangelicals believe God basically dictated all Scripture to certain men. Therefore all Scripture is viewed as being on equal footing to be followed.
But the problem is that Scripture is a debate! Different perspectives emerged over time & revisions were made in how the writers perceived God and God’s will for, and interactions with, the world. Thus we are confronted with choices of which to believe, & in what way. So Scripture, in effect, reveals our own hearts. Are they tuned to Love, or to Domination? Which Scriptures, if any, does anyone choose to live by?
While there are numerous examples of such contra-dictions, the clearest is in Jesus’ many sayings: “You have heard that ‘It is written [by Moses]’… BUT I say to you…..” [there’s a better way to please God and live out Love.]”
Following WWII, the 50s into the 60s was a golden age for White Christians. Church-going was fairly high. White GIs were given breaks not given to black GIs by way of education & mortgages. Women “knew their place” (home/child rearing) & white men ruled (politics, economics, the home). But things changed. Civil rights for one; the “sexual revolution” for another. Women took up careers; gays came out of their closets. Well-defined distinctions between masculinity & femininity blurred. Now trans kids want to change their “sex.” Besides abortion, that was the last straw!
Since Christians see their influence on society waning in persuading others to “good living” (according to their standards), many leaders began advocating for taking over politically. Flashback: Many European colonizers saw themselves as a new kind of ancient Israel—God’s Chosen, “a city on a hill; a light to the world”—a view that has largely held in Christian circles over the centuries.
Thus, just as ancient Israel was commanded to drive pagans out of their new land, and to perpetuate violence on those disobeying “God’s Laws,” many now think they are called to do the same. In Trump they’ve found a leader who agrees and wants to impose their wish list (Project 2025) through authoritarian rule, with violence if necessary—a “purge” for a day, military action against Schiff & Pelosi, e.g.
They believe if they can't persuade--or force--America to "turn back to God" (as defined by their cherry-picked Laws of Moses or apostles' letters--not as defined by Jesus), their God will "lift His veil of protection on America" just as they claim "He" did with 9-11 & Hurricane Katrina as warnings against feminist & gay "inroads"--and all hell will break loose. Hence, they see re-electing Trump as a needed "Turning Point [for the] USA"!
That’s some of the “why” to cartoon Billy’s question, and perhaps to yours.
All the more reason to protect America’s democracy, with the chance that it can become a yet more perfect union where all are seen as equals and given equal opportunity to thrive. The kind of community Jesus advocated.
Pilate gave the crowd a choice: release Barabbas (an insurrectionist) or Jesus (a non-violent servant to others). Religious leaders incited the crowd to go with Barabbas. The choice today is still: the Cross (service to others) or the Sword (a religious take over to impose social control & Trump’s will).
Now that we're in Trump 2.0 with Project 2025 pumping out edicts for him to sign, what choices are you making to be complicit or to oppose?
The HANDS OFF protests across America are one way to raise your voice and be heard!
HANDS OFF 2025: Saturday, April 5
Find Event • Social Toolkit • Signs
“A core principle behind Hands Off! is a commitment to NON-violent action. We expect all participants to seek to de-escalate any potential confrontation with those who disagree with our values.”
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Cartoon source: news.meaww.com | March 28, 2024
“quoting” NoWay7790/X "quoting" @coach.fun
“10 hilarious…memes as Trump unveils ‘American-themed’ Bible [made in China]…”
For more explanations: "Jesus vs. Trump" | Politicon
Jill Wine-Banks with John Fugelsang:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=dItXeFSvXsI
Michelle Goldberg, The Rise of Christian Nationalism:
Ann Coulter and Van Jones speaking at the 2016 Politicon at the Pasadena Convention Center in Pasadena, California.
Please attribute to Gage Skidmore if used elsewhere.
Tomi Lahren and Mary Katherine Ham speaking at the 2016 Politicon at the Pasadena Convention Center in Pasadena, California.
Please attribute to Gage Skidmore if used elsewhere.
Trump v. Jesus / The Bible
Re: Immigrants in the Hebrew Bible / Old Testament
What does Yahweh your God demand of you, Israel?
Only this: to revere Yahweh your God,
to walk only in Yahweh’s paths,
to love & serve Yahweh your God
with all your heart and soul,
keeping Yahweh’s commands,
which God gave for your own good. ….
For Yahweh your God…befriends the stranger,
providing them with food & clothing.
You, too, must befriend foreigners,
for you were once immigrants in Egypt
[just like all Americans, apart from Native Americans,
are descendants of immigrants to America!)
- Deuteronomy 10:12-19
Revere your God. Do not mistreat foreigners.
Foreigners living in your country must be treated
the same way as you treat fellow citizens.
Love them as yourself,
for you yourselves were once foreigners in Egypt.
- Leviticus 19:32-33
Do not oppress a foreigner;
for you know how it feels to be immigrants,
having been immigrants once yourselves in Egypt.
- Exodus 23:9
Do not deprive the foreigner of justice….
- Deuteronomy 24:17-18
Do not take advantage of laborers who are poor or needy,
whether they are fellow citizens
or foreigners living among you.
Pay them, because they depend on their wages to live.
Otherwise…you will be guilty of sin.
- Deuteronomy 24:14-15
Cursed are those who withhold justice from foreigners….
Every citizen is to be made aware of these laws
and agree to them. - Deuteronomy 27:19
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Jesus on Immigrants:
When the Son of Man comes in his glory, he will say
[to the nations, to those that cared for the disadvantaged]:
“I was a stranger (Gr.: xenos, i.e., foreigner, immigrant, refugee)
and you invited me in;
I needed clothes and you clothed me,
food and you fed me. ….
Whatever you did to the least of these
my brothers & sisters, You did for Me.”
Those who pleased God in this way,
will be granted eternal life with God.
To those who didn’t care for the xenos,*
[the hungry, the poor, the sick, the prisoners]
he will say, “Depart from me!”
- Jesus, Matthew 25:31-46 [paraphrased summary]
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* XENOS, is a Greek word. Matthew wrote his Good News about Jesus in Greek. The Greek word means stranger, alien, foreigner which includes immigrants and refugees.
Hence, the fear of foreigners--something which Trump plays on to get votes--is called XENO-phobia, something that fuels his MAGA base & the many of the Christian Nationalists among them!
________________________________________________
To download such images to your social media, go to:
www.votecommongood.com/his-words-matter/
FAQ + RESOURCES: Resisting Christian Nationalism:
act.faithfulamerica.org/signup/christian-nationalism-reso...
______________________________________
Cartoon source: news.meaww.com | March 28, 2024
“quoting” NoWay7790/X "quoting" @coach.fun
“10 hilarious…memes as Trump unveils ‘American-themed’ Bible [made in China]…”
"Jesus vs. Trump" | Politicon
Jill Wine-Banks with John Fugelsang:
Source: Huffpost | July 27, 2016
"10 Donald Trump Quotes That Should Horrify
His Evangelical Supporters: This is how far Trump
and his supporters have departed from the Gospel."
See also: "Jesus vs. Trump" | Politicon
Jill Wine-Banks with John Fugelsang:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=dItXeFSvXsI
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Trump v. Jesus / The Bible
"The Judgment of the Nations"
When the Son of Man comes in his glory, he will say
[to the nations, to those that cared for the disadvantaged]:
“I was a stranger (Gr.: xenos, i.e., foreigner, immigrant, refugee)
and you invited me in;
I needed clothes and you clothed me,
food and you fed me. ….
Whatever you did to the least of these
my brothers & sisters, You did for Me.”
Those who pleased God in this way,
will be granted eternal life with God.
To those who didn’t care for the xenos,*
[the hungry, the poor, the sick, the prisoners]
he will say, “Depart from me!”
- Jesus, Matthew 25:31-46 [paraphrased summary]
cf. Matthew 7:21-23:
“But Lord, we preached in your Name,
and cast out demons and performed miracles!”
But I will tell them, “Get out of my sight!
I have nothing to do with you evil people!
You did not do what God wanted you to do!”
- Jesus
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* XENOS, is a Greek word. Matthew wrote his Good News about Jesus in Greek. The Greek word means stranger, alien, foreigner which includes immigrants and refugees.
Hence, the fear of foreigners--something which Trump plays on to get votes--is called XENO-phobia.
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A thought:
It's interesting that this teaching by Jesus is only found in the Good News According to Matthew. But no surprise, really, for in telling Jesus' birth narrative, Matthew lists in his genealogy 4 women (an unusual thing to do in biblical genealogy lists) -- Tamar, Rahab, Ruth & Bathsheba -- at least 3 of whom were foreigners to ancient Israel, some with questionable moral reputations -- and he goes on to tell, unlike Luke, that because of the threat of political violence, the Holy Family fled to Egypt as refugees. Imagine if Israel had not accepted the above women in the first place, or if Egypt had shut its border to asylum seekers or deported them -- like Trump & his followers plan for many of the people having fled violence in their countries today, hoping to find refuge in America! God help America! What will "the Son of Man [say to America] when he returns in Glory?"
Source: Huffpost | July 27, 2016
"10 Donald Trump Quotes That Should Horrify His Evangelical Supporters: This is how far Trump and his supporters have departed from the Gospel."
Note the date of this meme: 2016!
Obviously with Trump continuing to garner around 81% of the White Evangelical vote, they aren't horrified by this DT quote. Why not? Whatever happened to their mantra during the Clinton presidency that "Character Matters"?
I suspect that just like Trump is using them, they are using him in order to gain power in the White House to enact their Agenda: Project 2025. To create a theocratic state where they call the shots and Trump enforces them.
While Trump denies knowing anything about Project 2025, many of the people who have cobbled the nearly 1000 page document together have worked for him, have close 'prayer' associations with him, and expect to be hired by him to replace current non-partisan civil servants in the government.
Some of the proponents of Project 2025 want to see women lose the vote. In this broad coalition of various groups, one man says that because of Trump, he's no longer ashamed of the violent bits or accommodation of slavery in the Bible (OT).
Plus, JD Vance has endorsed a book called Unhumans which views some people as lesser than the dominant (white) class, and therefore don't need to be treated with dignity or equality.
Scary times, y'all.
Get out and please vote for sanity, equality, and compassion.
Christians, please apply the teachings of Jesus if you really do follow him! E.g., read the Beatitudes again. Instead of trying to take control of the government, as the Dominionists among you want, try influencing culture by being a collective example of how Jesus called us to live, caring for our neighbour, loving even our enemies, welcoming the stranger/foreigner, helping the poor and those afflicted by illness. The Way of Jesus is non-violent resistance to all forms of oppression.
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"Jesus vs. Trump" | Politicon
Jill Wine-Banks with John Fugelsang:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=dItXeFSvXsI
FAQ + RESOURCES: Resisting Christian Nationalism:
act.faithfulamerica.org/signup/christian-nationalism-reso...
WEBINARS on ways to challenge "Christian" "Nationalism":
Ann Coulter and Van Jones speaking at the 2016 Politicon at the Pasadena Convention Center in Pasadena, California.
Please attribute to Gage Skidmore if used elsewhere.
KT McFarland speaking at the 2016 Politicon at the Pasadena Convention Center in Pasadena, California.
Please attribute to Gage Skidmore if used elsewhere.
"A hilarious and eye-opening account of leaving Christian Nationalism behind to follow Jesus better.
"April Ajoy wouldn’t have called herself a Christian Nationalist when she performed her original song “America Say Jesus” on the Jim Bakker show, or when she participated in Jesus Marches across America, or when she posted cringe-worthy videos on YouTube to campaign for Mitt Romney. April just considered herself a good Christian: faithful, Republican, and determined to make America a Christian nation once again.
"But as her view of the world widened, Ajoy began to see cracks in her steadfast beliefs and recognized the ways her conservative politics and religion were intertwined in her mind. Did God really bless America? Is it actually by His red, white, and blue stripes that we are healed?
"Ajoy, content creator and podcast host, shares funny stories from her time deep within Christian nationalism, exploring how aspects of evangelical culture such as product boycotts, Satanic panic, and end-times theology have all been exploited to advance the Christian Nationalist narrative. She also illuminates the ways nationalist thinking has infiltrated our churches and political arenas, shaping not only modern evangelical culture but also American public policy and international relations.
"Part memoir, part guidebook, part call to action, Star-Spangled Jesus explores how the fight to make America a “Christian nation” has damaged us all and shows how one woman left Christian Nationalism and why America should too."
Preview: www.google.ca/books/edition/Star_Spangled_Jesus/g2byEAAAQ...
April Ajoy is on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, and has been interviewed about her book on various podcasts, including ones by The Friendly Athiest and The New Evangelicals.
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See also:
Michelle Goldberg, The Rise of Christian Nationalism, 2024:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yk0omGVyHPU
"Jesus vs. Trump" | Politicon | 2024
Jill Wine-Banks with John Fugelsang:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=dItXeFSvXsI
FAQ + RESOURCES: Resisting Christian Nationalism:
act.faithfulamerica.org/signup/christian-nationalism-reso...
WEBINARS on ways to challenge "Christian" "Nationalism":
Source: Huffpost | July 27, 2016
"10 Donald Trump Quotes That Should Horrify His Evangelical Supporters: This is how far Trump and his supporters have departed from the Gospel."
See also: "Jesus vs. Trump" | Politicon
Jill Wine-Banks with John Fugelsang:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=dItXeFSvXsI
________________________________________________
Trump v. Jesus / The Bible
Wealth / Mammon
“You cannot serve God and Wealth.
You can’t serve two masters.
You’ll…be devoted to one and despise the other.” - Jesus
-Matthew 6:24 / Luke 16:13
“What does it profit you to gain the whole world,
but to forfeit your soul in the process?” - Jesus
- Mark 8:36
“Sell your possessions, and give to the needy.
Those types of investments won’t diminish,
and will result in true wealth in the Unseen Realm …..” - Jesus
- Luke 12:33
When the religious leaders, who were lovers of money,
heard all these things, they ridiculed Jesus.
- Luke 16:14
Wealth acquired through lies
is like a vapour and leads to destruction.
- Proverbs 21:5-6
The love of money is a root for all kinds of evil.
- 1 Timothy 6:3-10
A greedy person stirs up strife,
but those who trust in God will be enriched.
- Proverbs 28:25
Whoever oppresses the poor
just to increase their profit margins,
while showering gifts on the rich,
will end up the poorer for it.
- Proverbs 22:16
Such are the wicked;
ever carefree, they amass great wealth.
- Psalm 73
So now we call the arrogant blessed.
These doers of evil not only prosper,
but in challenging God,
they seem to get away with it all.
- Malachi 3:15 cf. Job 21:6-31
Your gang of ‘prophets’ cover it all up,
divining deceitfully for them, saying,
“Thus says the Sovereign God,”
when God has not spoken!
- Ezekiel 22
“For among My people are found wicked ones...
Setting traps to catch other human beings.
Their houses are full of loot—
That is why they have grown so wealthy.
They’ve become fat and sleek;
They go to any lengths in their wickedness:
They have no respect for the rights of the fatherless,
Or defend the rights of the poor and needy—
And yet they succeed! ...
“Horrible, shocking things are happening in this nation:
‘Prophets’ [tele-evangelize] falsely,
‘religious’ judges rule accordingly,
and the people love it!
But what will you all do in The End?”
Should I fail to punish such a nation as this?”
demands Yahweh.
- Jeremiah 5:20–31
You condemn workers who lack the power to fight back.
You refuse to pay your workers (fairly—if at all),
and now their unpaid wages shout against you.
God Almighty has heard the workers’ cries.
- James 5:1-6
Return to your God!
Practice mercy and justice,
and wait upon your God always.
The entrepreneur who “cooks the books,”
who loves to defraud,…boasts:
“Ah, I have become rich; I have gained power!
With all my wealth they will not find me guilty of iniquity.”
- Hosea 12:7-8 [paraphrase]
The Magnificat
“GOD always shows mercy to all those who revere GOD.
The Lord uses GOD’s power to scatter the proud.
GOD drags mighty rulers from their thrones
While exalting and empowering the humble.
GOD gives the hungry good things to eat,
And sends the wealthy away empty-handed.”
- Mary, the Mother of Jesus, Luke 1:46-55
Ann Coulter and Van Jones speaking at the 2016 Politicon at the Pasadena Convention Center in Pasadena, California.
Please attribute to Gage Skidmore if used elsewhere.
Ann Coulter and Van Jones speaking at the 2016 Politicon at the Pasadena Convention Center in Pasadena, California.
Please attribute to Gage Skidmore if used elsewhere.
Elisha Krauss, Guy Benson, Tomi Lahren and Mary Katharine Ham speaking at the 2016 Politicon at the Pasadena Convention Center in Pasadena, California.
Please attribute to Gage Skidmore if used elsewhere.
Ann Coulter speaking at the 2016 Politicon at the Pasadena Convention Center in Pasadena, California.
Please attribute to Gage Skidmore if used elsewhere.
Carolina Hurley, Symone Sanders and Secretary of State of Kentucky Alison Lundergan Grimes speaking at the 2016 Politicon at the Pasadena Convention Center in Pasadena, California.
Please attribute to Gage Skidmore if used elsewhere.
Trump v. Jesus / the Bible
Take care of the needy and extend hospitality to strangers.
- The Apostle Paul, Romans 12:13
"The Judgment of the Nations"
When the Son of Man comes in his glory, he will say
[to the nations, to those that cared for the disadvantaged]:
“I was a stranger (Gr.: xenos, i.e., foreigner, immigrant, refugee)
and you invited me in;
I needed clothes and you clothed me,
food and you fed me. ….
Whatever you did to the least of these
my brothers & sisters, You did for Me.”
Those who pleased God in this way,
will be granted eternal life with God.
To those who didn’t care for the xenos, *
[the hungry, the poor, the sick, the prisoners]
he will say, “Depart from me!”
- Jesus, Matthew 25:31-46 [paraphrased summary]
cf. Matthew 7:21-23:
“But Lord, we preached in your Name,
and cast out demons and performed miracles!”
But I will tell them, “Get out of my sight!
I have nothing to do with you evil people!
You did not do what God wanted you to do!”
- Jesus
From the Hebrew Bible:
Yahweh told me to proclaim this word to the leaders: …
“Administer justice morning by morning…
do not exploit or treat foreigners poorly …
Or else…
I will punish you according to your deeds,” declares Yahweh. ~
- The Hebrew Prophet, Jeremiah 22:1-3
“I championed the cause of resident foreigner
‘breaking the jaws’ of those who did them wrong,
wrenching the evildoers’ prey from their teeth. ….
Justice was my cloak and righteousness my robe.”
- Job 29:14-17
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* XENOS, is a Greek word. Matthew wrote his Good News about Jesus in Greek. The Greek word means stranger, alien, foreigner which includes immigrants and refugees.
Hence, the fear of foreigners--something which Trump plays on to get votes--is called XENO-phobia, something that fuels his MAGA base & the many of the Christian Nationalists among them!
________________________________________________
To download such images to your social media, go to:
www.votecommongood.com/his-words-matter/
FAQ + RESOURCES: Resisting Christian Nationalism:
act.faithfulamerica.org/signup/christian-nationalism-reso...
See also: "Jesus vs. Trump" | Politicon
Jill Wine-Banks with John Fugelsang:
Medicare for All?! panel discussion. (L to R) Ana Kasparian, Bill Kristol, Drew Pinsky, George Halvorson.
Dr. Amy Chen spoke out against the inclusion of what many consider offensive books in class.
On Tuesday, October 3, the Conejo Valley Unified High School District Board of Education met and discussed (among other things) what to do about the core literature list controversy. There has been much discussion about some books and whether their content is age-appropriate for students. Some opponents of the books want them removed from the list altogether, some want an opt-out policy. Two were not big on changing anything.
Tomi Lahren and Mary Katherine Ham speaking at the 2016 Politicon at the Pasadena Convention Center in Pasadena, California.
Please attribute to Gage Skidmore if used elsewhere.
Tomi Lahren speaking at the 2016 Politicon at the Pasadena Convention Center in Pasadena, California.
Please attribute to Gage Skidmore if used elsewhere.
Ana Kasparian speaking at the 2016 Politicon at the Pasadena Convention Center in Pasadena, California.
Please attribute to Gage Skidmore if used elsewhere.
Former Governor Sarah Palin speaking at the 2016 Politicon at the Pasadena Convention Center in Pasadena, California.
Please attribute to Gage Skidmore if used elsewhere.
Ana Kasparian speaking at the 2016 Politicon at the Pasadena Convention Center in Pasadena, California.
Please attribute to Gage Skidmore if used elsewhere.
Ann Coulter, Eugene Robinson, Rick Tyler, John Ratzenberger and Robert Davi speaking at the 2016 Politicon at the Pasadena Convention Center in Pasadena, California.
Please attribute to Gage Skidmore if used elsewhere.
Ann Coulter speaking at the 2016 Politicon at the Pasadena Convention Center in Pasadena, California.
Please attribute to Gage Skidmore if used elsewhere.
Former Governor Sarah Palin speaking at the 2016 Politicon at the Pasadena Convention Center in Pasadena, California.
Please attribute to Gage Skidmore if used elsewhere.