First, I offer my opinion about religious leaders who support Trump’s illegitimate presidency: I am mostly describing “evangelicals.” Like Trump, they are not “Christians.” If anyone denies the ‘New Testament’ they cannot be Christian. In the second part of the bible Jesus tells his followers what actions to take and words to speak which would make them true followers of the “Christ.” The lobby calling itself the “Christian Religious Right” does not believe in the words of the man they call “The Son of God.”

On Monday evening Trump violated the first amendment rights of hundreds of men and women protesting outside of the White House. He ordered a march to St. John’s Episcopal Church led by police and military who fired rubber bullets and used tear gas to disperse the crowd. The purpose was soon evident. Trump stood in front of the church, held a bible in one hand, and had his picture taken. The malignant narcissist strikes again.

Today, religious leaders are condemning this selfish and anti-American act.

Bishop Mariann Budde said Tuesday that Trump held up the Bible in front of St. John’s “as if it were a prop or an extension of his military and authoritarian position.”

Budde, in an interview with Craig Melvin on NBC’s “TODAY” show, said that what Trump did in front of the church she oversees “was an abuse of the spiritual tools and symbols of our traditions and of our sacred space.”

“He didn’t come to church to pray, he didn’t come to church to offer condolences to those who are grieving,” she said. “He didn’t come to commit to healing our nation, all the things that we would expect and long for from the highest leader in the land.”

She continued: Budde said Trump didn’t inform the diocese about his visit to the church. Asked if he is a frequent worshipper at the church, Budde responded: “No, never. The only time that President Trump has been at St. John’s church as president was on the morning of his inauguration.”

The Rev. James Martin, a prominent Jesuit priest and author, said in a statement, “Using the Bible as a prop while talking about sending in the military, bragging about how your country is the greatest in the world, and publicly mocking people on a daily basis, is pretty much the opposite of all Jesus stood for.”

He added: “Let me be clear. This is revolting. The Bible is not a prop. A church is not a photo op. Religion is not a political tool. And God is not a plaything.”

Rabbi Jack Moline, president of Interfaith Alliance, said in a statement Monday, “Seeing President Trump stand in front of St. John’s Episcopal Church while holding a Bible in response to calls for racial justice — right after using military force to clear peaceful protesters out of the area — is one of the most flagrant misuses of religion I have ever seen. This only underscores the president’s complete lack of compassion for Black Americans and the lethal consequences of racism.”

Political leaders offered their opinions.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif, and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said in a joint statement that Trump is “ripping” the country apart when Americans are crying out for unity over the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis last week in police custody.

“Tear-gassing peaceful protesters without provocation just so that the president could pose for photos outside a church dishonors every value that faith teaches us. We call upon the president, law enforcement and all entrusted with responsibility to respect the dignity and rights of all Americans,” Pelosi and Schumer said.

I have watched and read about the actions of 12 presidents. Never have I ever witnessed such an abuse of power. This was the first time a president has demonstrated his belief in fascism openly and with actions which were cruel and inhumane. Trump shamed our country more than anyone or anything else in America’s history. This single action included violating the Constitution hundreds of times, and he should be impeached again.

Op-ed by James Turnage

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