Jesus says, "KILL!" (And other fabrications of far-right "Christianity.")
PART 1: Donald Trump Has Been Raised up by God
I was shocked to find out that Jesus is NOT the prince of peace. No, seriously--it turns out all that stuff about love thy neighbor, love your enemies, turn the cheek, give up your cloak, serve the least of these--it's all a load of crap. What Jesus really wants you to do is KILL! Kill them all! But only those who don't think the same way you do. You, know, pretty much everyone.
I now know this to be true because Franklin Graham, son of famed evangelist Billy Graham, says so, pointing out that God "also hates" and is a "god of war."*
At an Easter gathering at the White House, Reverend Graham prayed to God, "You have raised up President Trump. You have raised him up for a time such as this."** He proceeded to share a parallel to the book of Esther in the Bible, claiming Esther was "raised up" to save the Jews from destruction.
Funny thing about the book of Esther--God is never mentioned. And, nowhere does it say Esther was raised up." I'm sure theologians can easily explain this. I'm not sure they can explain the bizarre conflation of an historical heroine and a politician devoid of Christian ethics.
The Cliff Notes on the book of Esther:
The king of Persia had a party.
King got drunk (his heart was merry with wine.)
King wanted to show off his pretty wife.
Pretty wife refused to appear.
King got pissed.
King worried other women would "look with contempt upon their husbands."
Uncooperative wench!
King ditched wife.
King sent eunuchs out to gather beautiful young virgins.
Esther was the beautiful virgin that pleased king the most.
Esther became queen.
Later....
Jews were to be killed.
Esther intervened.
Jews not killed.
Jews allowed to slaughter enemies.
The story of Esther tells me nothing about the spiritual or political leadership of the president, raised up or otherwise. It tells me some religious fundamentalists think has changed over the past 24 centuries. A few examples:
First, the resurgence of "wife, you shall do as you are told!" If this is mutually acceptable, go forth. If not, remember: there is reason INCEL has become a thing.
Second, men demanding virgins. If men had hymens, this would not be an issue.
Third, wives must be prevented from observing independence in other women. Heaven forbid! We certainly don't want them thinking for themselves! May as well lock her in the closet. Did I mention INCEL?
Finally: we are still slaughtering the innocent in the name of "protection." From Esther (8:11):
"By these the king allowed the Jews who were in every city to gather and defend their lives, to destroy, to slay, and to annihilate any armed force of any people or province that MIGHT attack them, with their children and women, and to plunder their goods." Gaza. Lebanon. Same as it ever was.
This is tricky ground. It's is one thing to say god loves the Jews, the chosen. It's another to say they should kill those who might attack them. I think Jesus of Nazareth stands right in the middle of those statements, affirming one, denying the other.
So, Rev. Graham, I'm waiting. Waiting for you, or anyone else, to tell me how it is possible to claim Jesus as the messiah but ignore his teachings. Waiting to be shown where Jesus says, "get them before they get you." Waiting to be shown how a politician who wields power to dominate, not serve, can be evidence of God's plan. Waiting to be shown how the gospel of love, in any way, shape or form, can be manipulated into KILL, Kill! Kill them all!
*https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUjbJ4BZLTQ
(Start 18:30)