Donald Trump’s authoritarian address outside the White House and his walk over to a nearby church with a Bible in his hand just after permitting the tear-gassing and flash-banging of protesters will be one of the darkest stains on his legacy. Religious leaders have spoken out about Trump’s photo-op, but now, the clergy at the church where the president married First Lady Melania in Florida called the current resident at the White House out for using “sacred symbols for purely political purposes.”
The Palm Beach Post reports that three clergy members at Palm Beach’s Episcopal Church of Bethesda-by-the-Sea denounced the president for using tear-gas on peaceful protesters.
“The problem is not that Mr. Trump stood outside a church with [The] Bible in hand,” the statement reads. “The problem is that he used violence to get there and exploited sacred symbols for purely political purposes — and without even the courtesy of getting in touch with the bishop or rector who first heard of this on the news.”
“Our prayers for the president will continue, as they should. But because we pray for equity and justice, we cannot condone the use of violence against peaceful protesters,” the statement continues. “We cannot condone the exploitation of a church and Bible as props that only further division.”
Stay up-to-date with the latest news!
Subscribe and start recieving our daily emails.
“Law and order have but one legitimate goal: justice. Justice has but one true foundation: love,” it continued. “The Bible he held has much to say about how we ought to live our common life. It teaches us to care for the stranger, to love God, and to love our neighbors.”
The Reverends James Harlan, Margaret McGhee, and Burl Salmon, the associate for Christian Education, Pastoral Care and Outreach signed the statement.
President Two Corinthians stood outside of a church holding a Bible he’s never read, but that’s not too strange considering he swore an oath to the Constitution that he’s never read. If Trump had read the latter, then he’d know that the First Amendment allows US citizens to protest injustices. It also allows the media to criticize a sitting president. Holding a Bible doesn’t make you a Christian, Mr. President.
Featured image via Political Tribune gallery
Like what you see here? Join the discussion on Facebook over at Americans For Sanity!
