I’ve moved past the point of condemning Trump-worshiping white evangelical leaders and their zombie-like duped followers who make up the majority within evangelicalism. My anger is now directed toward those within the evangelical minority who have chosen to sit by idly while the faith they claim to follow is bastardized and the nation they claim to love is torn asunder.
The Bible often refers to Jesus as The Good Shepherd and to His followers as sheep, or as the flock. It’s an apt analogy. Sheep are stupid animals that seem almost unable to think independently; instead, they latch onto a leader whom they follow mindlessly. Far too many humans are like sheep, and that is especially true of evangelical Christians. It is not without reason that the Bible calls Christians sheep.
When faced with escalating evil executed by the leaders of the misled evangelical majority, most within the minority have chosen a doomed version of accommodation over a principled stand for truth and justice.
So, when the majority of white evangelical Americans followed their leaders in crowning Donald Trump as their new messiah, I was disappointed, but not too surprised. Most sheep did what came naturally. But a significant minority of the flock remained right where their true Shepherd told them to stay. Some among that minority even went so far as to object to their misled companions’ waywardness. But, sadly, the majority within the minority have chosen silence. When faced with escalating evil executed by the leaders of the misled evangelical majority, most within the minority have chosen a doomed version of accommodation over a principled stand for truth and justice.
Many of my white evangelical friends and acquaintances are upset or even horrified by the depravity of many evangelical leaders. But they don’t want to rock the boat, so they say nothing. “If you can’t say something good about someone, don’t say anything at all,” seems to be the maxim among the evangelical accommodators.
While thousands of white evangelical “leaders,” and millions of their duped sheep promote a dangerous narrative about a virus that has killed nearly 650,000 Americans, the accommodators remain silent.
While thousands of white evangelical “leaders,” and millions of their duped sheep join Republican politicians in rewriting the history of the January 6th attempted overthrow of the nation’s government and the resultant deaths, the accommodators say nothing.
While thousands of white evangelical “leaders,” and millions of their duped sheep join Republican politicians in working to suppress voting rights for the poor and for minority groups, the accommodators keep quiet.
While thousands of white evangelical “leaders,” and millions of their duped sheep defend and even champion white nationalism, the accommodators turn the other way.
While thousands of white evangelical “leaders,” and millions of their duped sheep condemn George Floyd while defending Officer Derek Chauvin, the accommodators plug their ears.
While thousands of white evangelical “leaders,” and millions of their duped sheep make a martyr of the violent rioter Ashli Babbit and villainize Officer Michael Bird, the accommodators remain mute.
“All that is needed for the forces of evil to succeed is for enough good men [and women] to remain silent.” - Edmund Burke
“If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn't do it, it is sin for them.” – The Bible, James 4:17
This is no time for silence, little lambs. Speak up.