Sunday evening in Colorado, Donald Trump smirked as he stood on a stage holding a rainbow flag on which someone had used a Sharpie to write “LGBT for Trump.” I won’t offer the name of the misguided man who gave it to the Republican standard bearer, but I will tell you that he is very mistaken. Having had many gay friends throughout my life, I must inform you that most of them have ‘too much class’ to consider voting for such a crude and immoral man. But the primary reason actually has nothing to do with Trump himself.
Trump’s running mate, Indiana Governor Mike Pence, has a serious problem with the LGBT community. He cherishes his homophobia. He was the first Republican governor to sign an anti-gay law. He places his Christian religion above his country and the Constitution. The bill allowed any business to deny service to a member of the LGBT community based on religious belief. The bill was offered in opposition to same-sex marriage.
First of all, this doesn’t sound like something Jesus Christ would do. One of His foremost commandments was “judge not, lest ye be judged.” Jesus taught his followers that only His Father had the right to judge humans.
Secondly, I am thoroughly exhausted from listening to men and women who claim to be Christian, but refuse to respect the rights of others to practice their own faith.
I have a truth for Governor Pence; you are not a Christian. More importantly, religion has no place in government. The exact wording of the first amendment forbids our leaders from declaring one religion the faith of our nation.
Religious worship should return to being private. The lobby known as the Christian religious right must no longer be allowed to set policy for one of our two major political parties.
I am one of more than 65 million Americans who refuse to allow a man behind a pulpit to dictate how I live my life. The manner in which I attempt to become more spiritual is my choice and mine alone.
All religions are cults, but Christianity is the most controlling. The very fact that Pence and those like him deny the rights of the LGBT community to marry is farcical. What are they afraid of? They obviously know nothing about the struggles of men and women who live differently than they live.
My biggest complaint about the Christian religious right is simple; without this prejudiced group, several issues would not be involved in our political system. Without this lobby, abortion, same-sex marriage, and Islamophobia would no be in any political discussion. Mike Pence is as wrong for America as his running mate.
If you agree; please re-post. Thank you.
Op-Ed
By James Turnage
Photo courtesy of Ted Eytan
Follow me on twitter; @jamesturnagenov
The Truth With No Restrictions 