trump, acting like he has a religious belief, to in effect destroy religious freedom in this country
Ah yes, the job and love of religion. I remember it well. My mother, father and I visiting my grandfather and Aunt. They have a morning prayer, and because my mother sat instead of kneeling, we had a big fight right after our family religious observants. That is what trumps attack on Coombs reminded of.
It seems that trump took it upon himself to take Coombs up on the democrats belief that abortion is part of women’s right to choose what goes on with their bodies. In doing so, he not only make a mess of a prayer breakfast and destroyed any peace or commonality that might have been engendered by such an event. Instead, he showed his extreme lack of understanding of the variety of belief in the Christian community on the issue, and ignorance of his own purported denomination, the Presbyterian Church, unless he is a member of one of the smaller groups, which I doubt.
Frankly, I doubt trump has much religious belief at all. Like I said above, most of his concern has been shown to be tooting his own horn and making money.
First of all, let me say that trumps behavior, as usual, is unacceptable. As normal for him, he is using an event and an issue that he is not in any way historically that concerned about to rile up his base. That being said, there is something else wrong with this.
The underlying assumption is that “as a Christian” Coombs should be opposed to allowing women who feel the need from having an abortion. 1. religious beliefs are not supposed to be used in issues of freedom. 2. He is making an erroneous assumption, or trying to, by thinking that ALL Christians believe the same thing.
Some denominations, and the Presbyterian Church is one of those (another is the Episcopal Church of the United States, and the Evangelical Lutheran Church) believe that God works within the lives and hearts of people. People have the right to make the choices and life decisions that they feel are right for them and their families about such things as abortion.
Using another issue, I will out the problem that I have encountered. As a member of the LGBQT community, I have had people say “Christians don’t support you”. That is blatantly NOT true. Some don’t, some do.
The Presbyterian Church is one that has ruled that not only participation in the Church, either as a member or as a leader, is open to all regardless of sexual or gender identity. They have also tended toward the “pro-choice” end of the spectrum, with my retired former paster working it thus “My prayer is that abortion will be rare but always available at the choice of the mother.” (I suspect the Episcopalians have taken pretty much that position about pro-choice also but am not sure)
In other words, if trump and Coombs belong to the same faith group, the Presbyterian Church USA, then Coombs is more in line with the faith group he belongs to that trump is. But then I doubt trump is really a Presbyterian despite the claim he made at one time. In fact, I doubt he goes to church other than to garner support for what HE wants.
trump’s stance is wrong on two levels. First of all, he is tarring the entire rank of christian faith with one brush, that of the most conservative denomination. Secondly, even if “christians” could be said to be united on this issue, that has nothing to do with civil law…per the constitution itself. That little “the government will establish no national religion” clause.
So, in essence, trump is now interfering in both women’s right to choice, granted by Roe Vs Wade and interfering with the concept of freedom of religion.
But then nobody would ever accuse trump of reasoning things though, or being logical or really caring about the truth about either the Constitution or religion freedom. As long as he gets personal support from his base among the right wing evangelical groups, he has accomplished his goal. What should he care whether such behavior is actually legal or not.
Originally published at www.blogster.com.
