Editor's Note: We invited two Westar scholars to share their opinions on life and religion in today's public square. As background, the Axios article "St. John's clergy: Trump used church as prop, Bible as symbol of division," speaks to current and former clergy furor over the use of church and Bible as a prop for political purposes. And this week, in the midst of rising COVID-19 cases in Tulsa, Trump plans on holding an indoor rally there despite health officials warning the campaign to cancel the political gathering. We thank Rev. Robin Meyers and John Dominic Crossan for sharing their thoughts with Westar readers. We invite your comments.
The Pseudo-religious: "By their fruits you shall know them."
by Rev. Robin Meyers, Ph.D
Westar is committed to the scholarly study of so-called "clobber passages," especially those that have been used to justify the oppression of people on the outside looking in.
But given the Trump rally to be held in my backyard sister city of Tulsa, Oklahoma tomorrow, a new one should be added that clobbers the pseudo-religious: "By their fruits you shall know them."
After clearing out peaceful protestors in Lafayette Park so he could hold up a Bible he doesn't read in front of a church he doesn't attend, the president will now hold an indoor rally for thousands of goose-stepping fans who will spew not only hatred, but fill the arena with the spittle that spreads Covid-19.Oklahoma is seeing a spike in new cases, up over 400 yesterday, and the rally has the potential to be a "super-spreader" event. Trump's answer is to make people sign a waiver releasing the administration from any responsibility should they die. What about those of us who will not attend, but could die from those who did?
Why wouldn't local health officials simple cancel this large public gathering during a pandemic, just like all the others? Because this is the president of the United States, and we should be proud, say local Republicans, that he is coming here, to our great state.
In a world where truth itself is now an orphan, consider where we find ourselves in this perishing democracy: a "non-essential" media spectacle that feeds the endless depravity of a malignant narcissist is the reality show that must go on, despite the risk to innocent lives. Why? Because re-election is more important to Trump than human life.
The truth is, the president does not care. Hubris = Death, as it always has. It's enough to make me reconsider the doctrine of evil. Where is the 25th amendment when we need it?
How to Hold the Bible
by John Dominic Crossan
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