WWJD?

What would Jesus do, especially, in the current political climate we find ourselves?  Sadly, I’m constantly appalled at our country’s leadership.  A daily exercise of outrageousness.  What to do with that anger?  Where to go?  Stuck here in one of the reddest places in Florida where none of my representatives truly represent me or care to.

Most parents I know have decent values that they want to impart to their children.  Basic values like love one another, trying your best in whatever you endeavor, speaking with respect even with those you might not agree with.  How wise was Buddha with the three questions we should ask ourselves before speaking:  Is it true?  Is it necessary?  Is it kind?

Okay, as an aside, I know that’s a fake Buddha quote with no clear idea where it’s from.  Some say Rumi, some say Socrates.  Beside the point, however.  The questions are meaningful and make so much sense, especially, today.

How do parents explain the crudeness of our president?  It pains me that these children see Trump as the President of the United States.  The man they’re supposed to admire and aspire to.  The ultimate bully, which schools and parents across America are on a constant crusade to counter.  Even his wife alleges that her first priority is to stand up to bullying children.

And, yet, she’s married to the bully-in-chief!  He’s so egomaniacal, he goes after climate activist 16 year old Greta Thunberg, chosen as Time’s Person of the Year.   And, this is the person who has access to the nuclear codes.

Yes, he was impeached by the House.  We already know he is not going to be convicted by the Senate.  There will not even be a trial just a vote down party lines.  There will be no witnesses called and the president’s chief apologist, Mitch McConnell, has already stated he is not an impartial juror.  It’s pretty much a foregone conclusion.  I seriously don’t think any of those Senate Republicans are asking What would Jesus do?

Or are they?  I never would’ve given it another thought until a little noticed editorial was published this week in Christianity Today, the evangelical Christian periodical founded in 1956 by Billy Graham.  The op-ed written by it’s editor in chief, Mark Galli, wrote the following:

‘Whether Mr. Trump should be removed from office by the Senate or by popular vote next election—that is a matter of prudential judgment   That he should be removed, we believe, is not a matter of partisan loyalties but loyalty to the Creator of the Ten Commandments.  We believe the impeachment hearings have made it absolutely clear, in a way the Mueller investigations did not, that President Trump has abused his authority for personal gain and betrayed his constitutional oath.  The impeachment hearing have illuminated the president’s moral deficiencies for all to see.

None of the president’s positives can balance the moral and political danger we face under a leader of such grossly immoral character.  To the many evangelicals who continue to support Mr. Trump in spite of his blackened moral record, we might say this:  Remember who you are and whom you serve. Consider how your justification of Mr. Trump influences your witness to your Lord and Savior.  Consider what an unbelieving world will say if you continue to brush off Mr. Trump’s immoral words and behavior in the cause of political expediency.”

Naturally, the president dismissed the criticism, calling the publication a “far left magazine.”  Hilariously funny, except that we’re dealing with a seriously unhinged individual.

But, I thank Mr. Galli, who’s leaving the magazine in two weeks, unfortunately.  At least, he put it on the line.  Why did it take this long to reach that conclusion?  It's been pretty apparent as long as Trump's been around.  He's certainly no Christian.

Do I think he’s going to change the minds of Trump’s base of white evangelists?  Probably not too many, but he sure scared the you know what out of Trump.

It’s a glimmer of hope.  I welcome that.  It’s the season, right?  WWJD?  We all know the answer to that.  Live in love.  Live with hope.  And keep your kids away from the TV news shows.