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A Dissenting Voice Among the Evangelicals A Dissenting Voice Among the Evangelicals
(about 2 hours later)
To the Editor:To the Editor:
Re “Evangelicals Closing Ranks With President” (front page, Dec. 21), about reaction to a Christianity Today editorial calling for President Trump’s removal:Re “Evangelicals Closing Ranks With President” (front page, Dec. 21), about reaction to a Christianity Today editorial calling for President Trump’s removal:
When I was a child, the parable about George Washington confessing to cutting down the cherry tree left several questions floating around in my head, but the message was clear — telling the truth is a fundamental virtue exemplified by the first president of our great country.When I was a child, the parable about George Washington confessing to cutting down the cherry tree left several questions floating around in my head, but the message was clear — telling the truth is a fundamental virtue exemplified by the first president of our great country.
Our current president provides a shocking contrast and shameful example to Americans of all ages. He repeatedly, publicly and unapologetically violates nearly all the moral precepts fundamental to every religious community in our country. Yet until the clear and bold statement from an important portion of the evangelical Christian community, most of our religious leaders have been silentwhile the president disregards and undermines core values they spend their lives professing. Our current president provides a shocking contrast and shameful example to Americans of all ages. He repeatedly, publicly and unapologetically violates nearly all the moral precepts fundamental to every religious community in our country. Yet until the clear and bold statement from an important portion of the evangelical Christian community, most of our religious leaders have been silent while the president disregards and undermines core values they spend their lives professing.
I helped organize andworked closely with Jewish, Christian and Muslim leaders in the United States, Israel and the Palestinian Authority with regard to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. I deeply respect their faith, appreciate the organizational constraints within which they exercise leadership and have applauded their courageous public statements. But their remarkable silence in the face of the president’s abject immorality is an abdication of their leadership responsibility, and undermines the credibility of the faith communities to which they have dedicated their lives. I helped organize and worked closely with Jewish, Christian and Muslim leaders in the United States, Israel and the Palestinian Authority with regard to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. I deeply respect their faith, appreciate the organizational constraints within which they exercise leadership and have applauded their courageous public statements. But their remarkable silence in the face of the president’s abject immorality is an abdication of their leadership responsibility, and undermines the credibility of the faith communities to which they have dedicated their lives.
Does it take the fresh eyes and innocence of a child to say, “The emperor has no clothes”?Does it take the fresh eyes and innocence of a child to say, “The emperor has no clothes”?
Bruce E. WexlerNew HavenThe writer, a professor of psychiatry at Yale, served as convener of the National Interreligious Leadership Initiative for Peace in the Middle East.Bruce E. WexlerNew HavenThe writer, a professor of psychiatry at Yale, served as convener of the National Interreligious Leadership Initiative for Peace in the Middle East.
To the Editor:To the Editor:
Like many Americans, I don’t like President Trump’s rude and hostile tweets and comments; I abhor his lack of both repentance and humility. For these reasons, as an evangelical Christian, I would never hold up Mr. Trump as an example of someone who lives out his Christian faith. But morality has never been a qualification for the office of president.Like many Americans, I don’t like President Trump’s rude and hostile tweets and comments; I abhor his lack of both repentance and humility. For these reasons, as an evangelical Christian, I would never hold up Mr. Trump as an example of someone who lives out his Christian faith. But morality has never been a qualification for the office of president.
We Christians should understand what the left really wants, and it isn’t a president of high moral standing. Among other objectives, what many on the left really want is to trample our right to exercise our religious beliefs as we see fit.We Christians should understand what the left really wants, and it isn’t a president of high moral standing. Among other objectives, what many on the left really want is to trample our right to exercise our religious beliefs as we see fit.
Many on the left are up in arms because some Christians do not want to do things that conflict with their religious beliefs, like provide abortion services or wedding services for same-sex couples. We may or may not agree with these beliefs, but we should support the right of our fellow Christians and people of other faiths to believe these things. Mr. Trump will support those rights; Democrats would trample them.Many on the left are up in arms because some Christians do not want to do things that conflict with their religious beliefs, like provide abortion services or wedding services for same-sex couples. We may or may not agree with these beliefs, but we should support the right of our fellow Christians and people of other faiths to believe these things. Mr. Trump will support those rights; Democrats would trample them.
Our country and our Christian faith can survive immoral presidents; we have done so in the past. Surviving a president who will wreck our country’s longstanding and constitutionally guaranteed right of religious liberty will be much harder.Our country and our Christian faith can survive immoral presidents; we have done so in the past. Surviving a president who will wreck our country’s longstanding and constitutionally guaranteed right of religious liberty will be much harder.
Dennis CanfieldWestern Springs, Ill.Dennis CanfieldWestern Springs, Ill.
To the Editor:To the Editor:
Re “That Editorial Won’t Sway Evangelicals” (Op-Ed, Dec. 23):Re “That Editorial Won’t Sway Evangelicals” (Op-Ed, Dec. 23):
Sarah Posner misses the point about the Christianity Today editorial that held President Trump accountable because he “attempted to use his political power to coerce a foreign leader to harass and discredit one of the president’s political opponents.” The editor showed immense courage by not only observing that Mr. Trump violated the Constitution but also saying his actions are “profoundly immoral.”Sarah Posner misses the point about the Christianity Today editorial that held President Trump accountable because he “attempted to use his political power to coerce a foreign leader to harass and discredit one of the president’s political opponents.” The editor showed immense courage by not only observing that Mr. Trump violated the Constitution but also saying his actions are “profoundly immoral.”
The point is not that the editorial was going to sway entrenched so-called Christians who have embraced a hate-filled and racist-supporting president. The point is that it told the truth about a man who garners evangelical support “in spite of his blackened moral record,” as the editor said.The point is not that the editorial was going to sway entrenched so-called Christians who have embraced a hate-filled and racist-supporting president. The point is that it told the truth about a man who garners evangelical support “in spite of his blackened moral record,” as the editor said.
I am not aware of any publication on the right that has spoken the truth about this president and risked his wrath and the virulent attacks from a base that brooks no critique of its hero. Hats off to Mark Galli, the magazine’s editor in chief.I am not aware of any publication on the right that has spoken the truth about this president and risked his wrath and the virulent attacks from a base that brooks no critique of its hero. Hats off to Mark Galli, the magazine’s editor in chief.
Mac HerrlingBradley, Me.Mac HerrlingBradley, Me.