It’s been a few weeks
It’s been several weeks since I last wrote anything. When I started blogging again in April I had planned to write at least one a week, then our society blew up!
There was Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, Rayshard Brooks, and most recently Jacob Blake, four shot or killed by the police and one murdered by racist white guys.
These events then led to protests on the streets, with people’s frustration and anger sometimes boiling over in acts of violence against property, but mostly they were and are peaceful protests. While all this is going on the nations “leader” ignores the pain in the nation and even clears peaceful protestors from the streets using tear gas and violence so he can have a photo-op outside a church - an action condemned by the church.
There is lots of talk of law and order, but no talk of justice. Law and order without justice is a militaristic approach to suppress the people - people who bear God’s image. All the while prominent evangelicals like Franklin Graham continue to support the President and justify his actions.
Jerry Falwell fell from his position as President of Liberty University after further revelations that his ethical behavior was not that of a Christian leader.
A seventeen year old crosses state lines and shoots protestors and is hailed as a hero by some on the right, Ann Coulter suggesting he should be President! Many Americans either don’t seem to know or to care that their gun laws are out of control and the rest of the world thinks it’s madness.
Qanon conspiracy theorists win the Republican party nomination for this fall’s election. When asked about this vile conspiracy theory all the President could say was they seem to like him.
Kamala Harris is the target of racial attacks and a new “birther” conspiracy. Again the President and current leadership does nothing to suppress or correct this.
The gaslighting from the President hits a new level as he tries to convince people that under a Biden presidency there would be violence on the streets by showing the violence on the streets from his own presidency. The denial of the impact and poor response to COVID-19 as over 180,000 Americans are now dead, has been disgusting to watch.
Vice President Pence who says he’s a Christian twists and perverts Scripture, as many politicians have before him, stating, “So let’s run the race marked out for us. Let’s fix our eyes on Old Glory and all she represents.”
It’s so messed up that the NBA refuses to play. Roger Goodell appears on Uncomfortable Conversations With a Black Man and pledges to use the NFL platform to promote racial justice.
Everyone of these issues has a faith component and as a pastor I care deeply for the health of the church. So, yes, I’ve been living with a heavy heart for the witness of the church in the United States. I’m thankful for the voices of those who care deeply for the gospel, we cannot remain silent.
I haven’t been writing because it’s been too hard to focus on one thing.
