When you Sunday school group thinks of democrats as demons it makes it hard to stay there. I find it hard to get Christians to opne up about this because they do not want to understand what the Bible says about all this.
Professor Mann, thank you for your clear discussion of the truths I am seeing more and more clearly. For context, I grew up in rural Cajun Louisiana near Jeff Landry’s family; North Carolina has been my home for 30 years.
The past month I engaged a few times on Facebook with some Louisiana friends, challenging their rage-full repetition of the lies about trans and queer folks and Haitian immigrants eating dogs and cats that they found spread across the Trump/Republican cult. I have seen them in the past as good hearted Catholics. But they have bought into these dehumanizing lies about others so deeply that they cannot see how far away they have steered from values espoused by Christ.
I have decided to stop engaging with their lies on Facebook, because it’s now obvious to me that they are wholly swallowed by the rage induced by those and other lies. But if challenged by them directly, I will respond and call out those lies, doing my best to remember that if we claim to follow Jesus, we are asked to love all our neighbors, even those enslaved by lies.
I am now focused on supporting my local and remote senior adult, queer, and black/multiracial networks as we move through this darkness together.
I first saw your postings just as you resigned from LSU in the aftermath of Jeff Landry’s election as governor. I thank you deeply for keeping an eye on Louisiana for me, and continuing to speak truth to the oppressive forces that have too long controlled my beloved home state.
Thank you for your kind words and for sharing your experiences with the Trump people in your life. This line of yours stopped me cold, for I think you expressed as well and as succinctly as I've ever seen it: "If we claim to follow Jesus, we are asked to love all our neighbors, even those enslaved by lies." Enslaved by lies, indeed. Bless you, Bob
Thanks! I am lucky (blessed) to have a good foundation and great learning in our public schools and of course, the military. I agree with your message. I know that our Democracy works, worldwide and most importantly, here at home. I refuse to shut up and I get no thrill in saying I told you so! I do not engage in argument, until some educated person responds to a statement of fact, by saying "well, I respect your opinion, but..." the best reply is "No you don't" and watch the assholes get upset. The other new stupid saying is,' Well, we can agree to disagree" To which I say ' I am not agreeing to anything" These work better than Shut the F up!
In re the "religion" aspect, DO NOT engage. Love always ron thompson (remember how we signed our Valentine cards in the 3rd grade)
While what you are saying makes sense to people like us. It is not even heard by supporters of Mr. Trump. After the past 8 years I have finally accepted the fact that the Trump cult is real. Their faith in him is as unshakable as it is illogical and the diversity in the Trump movement in education, intelligence, success, and most everything else is astounding. Nobody except their leader is going to convince them of anything. Facts are simply ignored if they are not consistent with what they believe and their beliefs about who Mr. Trump is and what he can do are as diverse as they are. I refuse to even try anymore, but I applaud you for your efforts.
Conservative religious denominations are off the rails. As you aptly point out, "...Trump has persuaded so many good, well-meaning people to support some of the most anti-Christian policies man has ever conceived." The last time I was in a religious service was for a funeral conducted by an ostensibly Christian minister. I almost got up and left when he injected politics into his remarks by attacking and belittling Democrats. Sadly, as I looked at others in the congregation, I noted too many of them were nodding in agreement.
I have seen many people in my time who identify themselves as Christian when they say ‘I am a Christian!’ Calling oneself a Christian states who they see that they are as believers in the messages of ‘Love thy Neighbor’ that Jesus taught.However, being a Christian and conducting oneself as a Christian in one’s daily life in this world is what a Christian actually is or should strive to be. I say ‘Don’t just say it…
Thank you so much, Bob! I love you (for your character, courage, and sound moral compass) as well as your words and thoughts on this matter of difficult conversations! I'm sitting on a knife's edge right now regarding my own faith. The 1991 hit song by R.E.M., "Losing My Religion," is my life right now; both what he title implies and the real meaning behind this song. I'm hoping we can meet in person in the near future to talk about this.
Couldn't agree more. Since well before Trump decided to run for president in 2015, I've been waiting (longing) to hear this message from the pulpit at my church. I haven't, I assume because the clergy do not want to alienate those who pledge and help pay the bills. Understandable, maybe,but a betrayal of the values about which they preach. We have three immigrant clergy in our church-all legal residents, but I fear for them. We can no longer afford the luxury of being comfortable.
Bob, I am definitely anti-Trump, but I don't believe that focusing on his proposed treatment of illegal immigrants is the way to win hearts and minds. There is a significant difference between Trump rounding up illegal immigrants to send them home and Hitler rounding up Jewish legal residents to send them to the gas chambers. There are many issues on which we stand a better chance of winning. We should focus on Trump's lying, cheating, and disregard of our democracy. For example, if he makes any move to illegally retaliate against his "enemies" we need to be prepared to do battle loudly and fiercely. Don't waste our powder on Trump's lack of loving kindness.
I am proud to be a part of your team in this important effort. Thank you for all the time and energy you put into it. - Jamsie
When you Sunday school group thinks of democrats as demons it makes it hard to stay there. I find it hard to get Christians to opne up about this because they do not want to understand what the Bible says about all this.
Professor Mann, thank you for your clear discussion of the truths I am seeing more and more clearly. For context, I grew up in rural Cajun Louisiana near Jeff Landry’s family; North Carolina has been my home for 30 years.
The past month I engaged a few times on Facebook with some Louisiana friends, challenging their rage-full repetition of the lies about trans and queer folks and Haitian immigrants eating dogs and cats that they found spread across the Trump/Republican cult. I have seen them in the past as good hearted Catholics. But they have bought into these dehumanizing lies about others so deeply that they cannot see how far away they have steered from values espoused by Christ.
I have decided to stop engaging with their lies on Facebook, because it’s now obvious to me that they are wholly swallowed by the rage induced by those and other lies. But if challenged by them directly, I will respond and call out those lies, doing my best to remember that if we claim to follow Jesus, we are asked to love all our neighbors, even those enslaved by lies.
I am now focused on supporting my local and remote senior adult, queer, and black/multiracial networks as we move through this darkness together.
I first saw your postings just as you resigned from LSU in the aftermath of Jeff Landry’s election as governor. I thank you deeply for keeping an eye on Louisiana for me, and continuing to speak truth to the oppressive forces that have too long controlled my beloved home state.
Thank you for your kind words and for sharing your experiences with the Trump people in your life. This line of yours stopped me cold, for I think you expressed as well and as succinctly as I've ever seen it: "If we claim to follow Jesus, we are asked to love all our neighbors, even those enslaved by lies." Enslaved by lies, indeed. Bless you, Bob
Thanks! I am lucky (blessed) to have a good foundation and great learning in our public schools and of course, the military. I agree with your message. I know that our Democracy works, worldwide and most importantly, here at home. I refuse to shut up and I get no thrill in saying I told you so! I do not engage in argument, until some educated person responds to a statement of fact, by saying "well, I respect your opinion, but..." the best reply is "No you don't" and watch the assholes get upset. The other new stupid saying is,' Well, we can agree to disagree" To which I say ' I am not agreeing to anything" These work better than Shut the F up!
In re the "religion" aspect, DO NOT engage. Love always ron thompson (remember how we signed our Valentine cards in the 3rd grade)
While what you are saying makes sense to people like us. It is not even heard by supporters of Mr. Trump. After the past 8 years I have finally accepted the fact that the Trump cult is real. Their faith in him is as unshakable as it is illogical and the diversity in the Trump movement in education, intelligence, success, and most everything else is astounding. Nobody except their leader is going to convince them of anything. Facts are simply ignored if they are not consistent with what they believe and their beliefs about who Mr. Trump is and what he can do are as diverse as they are. I refuse to even try anymore, but I applaud you for your efforts.
Conservative religious denominations are off the rails. As you aptly point out, "...Trump has persuaded so many good, well-meaning people to support some of the most anti-Christian policies man has ever conceived." The last time I was in a religious service was for a funeral conducted by an ostensibly Christian minister. I almost got up and left when he injected politics into his remarks by attacking and belittling Democrats. Sadly, as I looked at others in the congregation, I noted too many of them were nodding in agreement.
I have seen many people in my time who identify themselves as Christian when they say ‘I am a Christian!’ Calling oneself a Christian states who they see that they are as believers in the messages of ‘Love thy Neighbor’ that Jesus taught.However, being a Christian and conducting oneself as a Christian in one’s daily life in this world is what a Christian actually is or should strive to be. I say ‘Don’t just say it…
Be it!’
Amen!
Thank you so much, Bob! I love you (for your character, courage, and sound moral compass) as well as your words and thoughts on this matter of difficult conversations! I'm sitting on a knife's edge right now regarding my own faith. The 1991 hit song by R.E.M., "Losing My Religion," is my life right now; both what he title implies and the real meaning behind this song. I'm hoping we can meet in person in the near future to talk about this.
Couldn't agree more. Since well before Trump decided to run for president in 2015, I've been waiting (longing) to hear this message from the pulpit at my church. I haven't, I assume because the clergy do not want to alienate those who pledge and help pay the bills. Understandable, maybe,but a betrayal of the values about which they preach. We have three immigrant clergy in our church-all legal residents, but I fear for them. We can no longer afford the luxury of being comfortable.
Thank you.
Wow. Thank you.
Well said, Bob, by a true believer and understander of the New Testament!
Bob, I am definitely anti-Trump, but I don't believe that focusing on his proposed treatment of illegal immigrants is the way to win hearts and minds. There is a significant difference between Trump rounding up illegal immigrants to send them home and Hitler rounding up Jewish legal residents to send them to the gas chambers. There are many issues on which we stand a better chance of winning. We should focus on Trump's lying, cheating, and disregard of our democracy. For example, if he makes any move to illegally retaliate against his "enemies" we need to be prepared to do battle loudly and fiercely. Don't waste our powder on Trump's lack of loving kindness.
I am proud to be a part of your team in this important effort. Thank you for all the time and energy you put into it. - Jamsie