Trusting The Nation Will Move Forward During A Hard Time

To The Reader’s Forum:

I was gob-smacked as I read a recent article in The Atlantic written by staffer Ali Breland.

A quick reread confirmed what I had thought. He quoted Enrique Tarrio, a longtime leader of the Proud Boys as saying–in colorful terms–that the Proud Boys no longer feel compelled to fight “left-wing protesters” because the federal government was doing just that by itself. That’s why the Proud Boys and similar groups have receded from the headlines, Tarrio argues.

Bear in mind that Tarrio was among the estimated 1,500 January 6 rioters who were issued pardons and commutations by President Trump. ICE and others are prowling American streets, using tactics and militia tactical gear similar to that worn by his followers. Federal enforcement officers have been deployed to the streets of Minneapolis, resulting in two shooting deaths of citizens as well as the ‘capture’ of youngsters on their way to school.

Breland argues that “federal agents and militia members have displayed the common goal of relentless intimidation–of immigrants and the left–and have used militaristic tactics in their confrontations.” This is not a coincidence, the writer adds. The present administration has effectively “created its own in-house militia to replace the Proud Boys” and harass others.

Spokespersons for the administration have argued that is not the case, but actions do speak louder than words.

“The feds,” Tarrio argues, is now doing the job no matter what.” And it appears, Breland argues, that the federal agents will receive “significant (administration) support” for actions taken in the course of their duties. The blurring of the lines is sowing the conditions for an increase in political violence, Breland contends.

I personally remain optimistic. This nation has endured other serious challenges ranging from the burning of the capitol by the British in the War of 1812 to the Civil War and two world wars. This is an internal challenge, but I trust the people and the Constitution will hold as we move forward in this troubling time.

Phil Zimmer

Jamestown

The Separation Of Church And Hate

To The Reader’s Forum:

Judas Iscariot was likely the first Christian nationalist. Although no one can be certain of his motivation, he sold out Jesus for thirty pieces of silver, fulfilling one of the over 300 messianic prophecies in the Old Testament (Zechariah 11:11-12). The Israelites of the day were living under Roman rule, and were looking for a king who would restore Jewish sovereignty and make Israel great again. For this reason, on the day of Jesus’ crucifixion, the Jews that were present chose Barabbas to be freed over Jesus. The Jews at the time, not only wanted freedom from Roman tyranny, but wanted to keep the influx of immigrants from spoiling their religious culture, and Barabbas was a revelutionary.

The Separation of Church and Hate is a spin on the first amendment of the US constitution that belongs to the author, John Fugelsang, who writes “a sane person’s guide to taking back the Bible from fundamentalists, fascists, and flock-fleeing frauds.” Fugelsang laments what has happened to the evangelical church since the beginning of the MAGA movement. Eighty-one percent of white evangelicals voted for Trump and his minions all across the country. Likely that same eighty-one percent has never read the words that appear in red in their Bibles, the words of Jesus. The movement that justifies their actions is called “christian nationalism,” led by “christian” leaders such as Paula White, Franklin Graham, Speaker Mike Johnson, Vice President J.D. Vance, the late Charlie Kirk, and all those committed to the Seven Mountain Mandate. Jesus never told us to dominate our culture, but to be light in the darkness.

So where do these MAGA evangelicals stand with God? Have a look at the words of Jesus in Matthew 25:31-46. Jesus tells us to feed the hungry, take care of the poor, be kind to strangers, care for the sick and imprisoned. At the end of the parable, he warns, “truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.”

In another place, Jesus warns us that there will come many false teachers and we are supposed to test them to determine if they are from God. I haven’t found any MAGA policies that match the words of Jesus.

Respectfully,

Rick Knott

West Ellicott