Tag: religion

Hatred – in the Trump Era

~ tomdolen

*** “Anew commandment I give to you, that ou love one another, as I have loved you.” [John 13: 34]

1] “Walmart rolls back DEI initiatives amid backlash”…”as conservative activists threaten boycotts on social media…Walmart will also discontinue DEI training..stop participating in the equality ratings by Human Rights Campaign..put guardrails on which community events, such as drag shows and Pride events, it supports through grants.”
“Walmart’s shift marks the latest win for the anti-DEI movement..gaining traction since the Supreme Court overturned affirmative action in university admissions…”
“DEI refers to a wide range of practices that seek to increase employment and educational opportunities for historically marginalized groups. But critics contend the programs end up discriminating against non-minorities and say that policies should focus on race neutrality.”
“The conservative backlash grows despite 6 in 10 Americans having said that DEI initiatives are “a good thing,” according to a poll from the Washington Post and Ipsos.” [Julian Mark, Andrew Jeong; 11/28/24; Washgtn Post]

*** “You shall love your neighbor as yourself…The stranger that dwells with you shall be to you as one born among you, and you shall love him as yourself.” [Leviticus. 19: 18, 34]

2] Have YOU ever noticed, people with Down’s syndrome are generally smiling and kind, they appear to hate nobody. They’re considered to be “handicapped” people. Isn’t it strange that people considered “handicapped” appear to hate NOBODY??? While people who DO hate others – are considered “normal”. people???

***. “The most effective way to silence our guilty conscience is to convince ourselves and others that those we sinned against are indeed depraved creatures, deserving every punishment, even extermination. We cannot pity those we have wronged, nor can we be indifferent toward them. We must hate and persecute them or else leave the door open to self-contempt.” [ Eric Hofer, “The True Believer” ]

3] In the last 10-15 years, numerous studies have been conducted on HATE and those that do, here are some:
A] “The Making of an American Nazi” [Luke O’Brien; December, 2017; The Atlantic]: ‘..during Trump’s candidacy suddenly it was OK to talk about banning Muslims or to cast Mexican immigrants as criminals and parasites..”
B]. “Addicted to Hate” [Wes Enzinna; July/August, 2018; Mother Jones]: “Starting at the age of 5, he received 2 hours of daily Bible study from his dad. He was schooled in the doctrine of “Christian identity,” which holds..the enslavement or extermination of all nonwhites will usher in the second coming of Christ.”
C]. “Make America Hate Again..Far Right Extremists Believe Trump’s Victory Has Catapulted Them Into Power..” [Josh Harkinson; January/February, 2017; Mother Jones]: “Thanks to Trump’s demagogic campaign..the alt-right now had an opportunity to inject racism, misogyny, and xenophobia into mainstream American politics…the normalization of the politics of hate.” [***. “..the NORMALIZATION OF THE POLITICS OF HATE.” ***]

*** “He that despises his neighbor sins.” [Proverbs. 14: 21]

4] “FBI says hate crimes in U.S. increased last year..More than 6,100 incidents were reported in 2016.” [Mark Berman; 11/14/17; Washington Post}
– “FBI reports spike in U.S. hate crimes..Total approaches level seen in 2008.” [Michael Balsamo; 11/17/20; Associated Press]: 7314 hate crimes in 2019; 7120 in 2018; 7783 in 2008 – which are UNDER-REPORTED because 2700 city police and county sheriffs DID NOT submit a single hate crime.

*** “Hatreds generally spring from fear or envy.” [ Machiavelli ]

5]. In 2022, the Southern Poverty Law Center established that there were at least 1,225 hate groups and anti-government groups; at least one in all 50 states.

*** “Let none of you imagine evil in your hearts against his neighbor, and love no false oath, for all these things are things that I hate, says the Lord.” [ Zechariah. 8: 17 ]

6]. A MAJOR factor in post-1980 political turmoil and hate is perversion of religion. Read:
A] “When Religion Becomes Evil”. [Charles Kimball; 2002]: “The five warning signs of corruption in religion: absolute truth claims, blind obedience, establishing the ‘Ideal Time’, the end justifies any means, declaring holy war.”
B]. “Thy Kingdom Come..How The Religious Right Distorts The Faith And Threatens America”. [Randall Balmer; 2006]: the religious right uses selective literalism “to locate sin outside of evangelical subculture;” designate evil behavior of outsiders.
C] “Preparing For War..The Extremist History of White Christian Nationalism – And What Comes Next” [Bradley Onishi; 2023]: on January 6, 2021 , “..religious symbols were everywhere..White Christian Nationalism was a major unifying phenomenon among the insurrectionists.”
D]. “Church & State”. is a monthly publication dealing with efforts to make America a “Christian Nation;” and reports how ordinary people – like YOU – are victimized by religious zealots. Virtually every issue has several pages of SPECIFIC instances where Americans – like YOU – had their lives turned upside down by religious zealots.

***. “I don’t want to see religious bigotry in any form. It would disturb me if there were a wedding between the religious fundamentalists and the political right. the hard right has no interest in religion except to manipulate it.”
[ Reverend Billy Graham ]

7] “Christian Nationalists were very prominent in the January 6, 2021 storming of the U.S. Capitol. former Christian Nationalist Bradley Onishi reported “..busloads of White evangelicals were indeed among the rioters..dozens of people from churches in our home region had been there..” [ Church & State; March, 2023 ]

*** “I’m frankly sick and tired of the political preachers across this country telling me as a citizen that if I want to be a moral person, I must believe in “A,” “B,” “C,” and “D.” Just who do they think they are? And from where do they presume to claim the right to dictate their moral beliefs to me.” [ Republican Senator Barry Goldwater }

8]. “The Creep of Christian Nationalism”. [Elwood Watson; 4/1/24; The Progressive Populist}: “In 2022, a collection of right-wing writers and leaders published a document entitled “Conservatism: A Statement of Principles.” The section on God and public religion stated, “Where a Christian majority exists, public life should be rooted in Christianity and its moral vision, which should be honored by the state and other institutions both public and private.”
“this is an alarming and troubling statement, implying non-Christians should have second-class status in our country. That Muslims, Jews, Hindus, Buddhists, atheists, agnostics, and others should be deprived of equality under the law…the antithesis of worship enshrined in the Constitution.” [***!!!*** – And – consider this FACT: the biggest growing American “religious” group is: “the Nones”. – who belong to NO church – currently estimated about 30-34% of ALL American adults!!! – meaning; white Christian Nationalists are distinct MINORITY. – trying to establish THEIR theocracy over YOU. – with much significant help from the CORRUPT. Roberts “supreme court” ]

***. “I have often expressed my sentiments, that every man..being accountable to God alone for his religious opinions, ought to be protected in worshipping the Deity according to the dictates of his own conscience.”
[. President George Washington. ]

9] Hatred corrodes the soul. If everybody that disagrees with us is our enemy, then perhaps that is why 198-2024
America has become what it is, and even more, all evidence of 2015-2024 shows. HATE. HAS. corroded the
collective American soul.
Clever communicators – on radio, TV, internet, public speeches – have POISONED the
minds of vulnerable, ill-informed & often desperate citizens – illustrated by vote
totals of 2010 – 2024.
Hatred conveniently divides and conquers citizens, who are too busy hating the wrong people – ignoring the REAL
villains – those with economic power – some of whom are now poised to inflict further harm in the name of

“reform,” or “government efficiency.”

***. “Is it not strange that the descendants of those Pilgrim Fathers who crossed the Atlantic to preserve their own

freedom of opinion havew always proved themselves intolerant of the spiritual liberty of others?” [ General Robert E. Lee]


10] When you hate, you don’t think clearly and rationally. Witness 2024 events.
“One of America’s greatest presidents talked of. “Malice toward none, with charity for all..do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves..”

Little children don’t hate – they’re taught to hate.

Trump and Abortion Cruelty; Religious Zealotry and Nazi Principles

~ tomdolen

*** “Abortion and homosexuality concerned him particularly; in a speech over the radio in January 1937, he put these two topics high on the list of his ‘tasks for the future’…”We have already set out to tackle these abominations [Schleusslichkeiten] rigorously and with deep seriousness, in the bitter knowledge that a growth or even just continuance of these two epidemics must bring any Volk to the abyss, although lower in. Germany than in most European and foreign countries, is nevertheless shockingly high.” Reichsfuhrer Heinrich Himmler ; page 185}

*** “I’m frankly sick and tired of the political preachers across this country telling me as a citizen that if I want to be a moral person, I must believe in “A”, “B”. “C”, and “D”. Just who do they think they are? and from where do they presume to claim the right to dictate their moral beliefs to me?” [Barry Goldwater}

*** “We want to fill our culture again with the Christian spirit. We want to burn out all the recent immoral developments in literature, in the theater, and in the press – in short, we want to burn out the poison of immorality which has entered into our whole life and culture as a result of liberal excess.” This may sound familiar – maybe some over-heated Republican talking points. In fact it’s what Adolf Hitler. promised the German people in 1933.” Reverend Bob Schenck [“Losing Faith; November-December, 2024; Mother Jones; page 2

*** “I have often expressed my sentiments, that every man..being accountable to God alone for his religious opinions, ought to be protected in worshipping the Deity according to the dictates of his own conscience.” [George Washington]

*** “The individual ought not be trusted with the right to make decisions related to his or her reproductive potential..Nazi doctrine, founded on the distinction between “worthy” and “unworthy” life, enforced selective breeding by increasing penalties for abortion and prohibiting birth control,” Claudia Koonz; “Mothers in the Fatherland..Women, the Family and Nazi Politics; page 285]

*** “Is it not strange tat the descendants of those Pilgrim Fathers who crossed the Atlantic to preserve their own freedom of opinion have always proved themselves intolerant of the spiritual liberty of others?” [Robert E. Lee]

1]. Opposition to abortion, birth control, the LGBTQ community – is a RELIGIOUS belief. Certain religions seek to impose THEIR religious beliefs on YOU – this is un-American, un-Constitutional, flies in the face of one of the oldest American historical traditions and policies: “separation of church and state.” Do your own research: start with Roger Williams and Anne Hutchinson; the 1657 “Flushing Remonstrance,” 18th century Virginia evangelicals demanding separation of church and state; Baptist preachers Isaac Backus and John Leland.

2]. Research 1776-1800 state constitutions [Faith of the Founders; Edwin Gaustad; Appendix B, pages 134-145. 8 states banned an active minister in their government!!!; 4 states prohibited a “religious test for office” [Article VI]; 10 states prohibited a state church [Amendment One]. Read: 1776 North Carolina Constitution, Articles XXXIV: “..neither shall any person, on any pretense whatsoever, be compelled to attend any place of worship contrary to his own faith or judgment, nor be obliged to pay, for..the building of any house of worship, or for the maintenance of any minister or ministry, contrary to what he believes right..” [ANY DOUDT about “separation of church & state” ???]

2] Some examples of many – Republican cruelties on abortion and reproductive rights;
A – the infamous Ohio case of the raped, pregnant 10-year-old girl, forced to go to Indiana for an abortion [“Penalty sought for girl’s doctor”; Davies & Rodgers; 12/1/22; Associated Press]
B- “Infant mortality rate soars post-Roe”. [Ariana Cha; 10/27/24; Washington Post Weekly]
C- “Radioactive” Pregnant Women” – turned away from ERs – “One woman miscarried in the lobby restroom of a Texas emergency room as front desk staff refused to check her in..” [Amanda Seitz; 4/21/24; Associated Press]
D- “Abuse victims trapped without options”. [Marissa Lati; 7/10/22; Washington Post]
E- “How state abortion restrictions are affecting pregnancy care…Treating a rare complication has gotten harder – and it nearly cost a woman her life”. [Caroline Kitchener; 4/30/23; Washington Post Weekly]
F- “Doctors fear delayed abortions pose safety risk”. [Laura Ungar; 12/10/23; Associated Press]
G- “Idaho’s abortion ban encourages legal delusion and medical myth” [Lisa Jarvis; 4/28/24; Bloomberg Opinion]
H- “Fatal genetic condition at heart of Texas abortion case”. [Kelsey Ables; 12/24/23; Washington Post]
I. “In Louisiana, a woman 10 weeks into her pregnancy was told that although her fetus was missing the top of its skull – an unsurvivable condition – she had to continue carrying it because the state’s abortion ban did not specify that condition as an exception.” [The Week; 9/2/22; page 11] !!!!!! Republican CRUELTY personified !!!!! UNBELIEVABLE !
J- “Sterilizations among women increasing”. [Emily Schmall; 9/12/24; New York Times] An
K- “Why Are Some Women Paying For Contraceptions?” [Alisha H. Gupta; 7/2/23; New York Times]
L- “IVF threats drive clinics to ship out embryos” [Ghorayshi & Kliff; 8/13/24; New York Times]
M- “My patient was a 13-year-old girl..he took her to his apartment..locked her in..raped her.










The neighbors heard her screaming..called the police..[who] caught this guy in the act..there is zero ambiguity..this pregnancy [is] result of rape.” Yet the doctor got hassled by the police..she had more encounters with “..police who

5]felt..emboldened to treat me like dirt..” This doctor and her family left this southern state [“Abortion Stories From Post-Roe America”; 10/27/24; New York Times Opinion

3] Consequences: “Docs Flee Red States” [Editorial; 6/15/23; The Progressive Populist]: both medical interns and practicing doctors are increasingly unwilling to practice OB/GYN medicine in states with abortion bans – because they can’t practice the necessary medicine they were taught/practiced. Texas already has a doctor shortage, expected to worsen by 50%, and a shortage of nurses. Only 40% of Terxas hospitals have labor and delivery services.

4]. “The Right-Wing Plan To Make Everyone An Informant” [Adam Serwer; November 2024; The Atlantic]: Texas’ 2021 “bounty law,” which promises $10,000 to anyone who successfully sues somebody who “aids and abets” an abortion…Republican-controlled state legislatures and conservative activists..passed bills and embraced legal strategies that encourage Americans to monitor one another’s behavior and report their friends, family members, and neighbors to the authorities. Call it the “Snitch State.” – OR. – historically, call it something Nazi Germany, Soviet Russia, China might have done. – American police state, anyone ???????

5] Then – How do YOU want to die? Do YOU have “health care directives” and/or living wills? If YOU make the fatal mistake of entering the wrong nursing home – they may refuse to honor YOUR legal wishes. – in. GUESS WHAT. – a nursing home run by a certain church.
In “Medical Emergency…The Church-State Wall Has Collapsed When It Comes to End-of-Life Care,: Kim Callinan discusses this. [Church & State; March 2021; pages 20-21]
In “The Power Worshippers..Inside the Dangerous Rise of Religious Nationalism,” Katherine Stewart, in Chapter 11: “Controlling Bodies: What “Religious Liberty”. Looks Like from the Stretcher,” [pages 241-43] relates how “John” dying of brain cancer in a hospice “repeatedly” asked for information on medically asisted death [legal in his state] – it was refused by the church running it, because “Directive 61 states: “Patients experiencing suffering that cannot be alleviated should be helped to appreciate the Christian understanding of redemptive suffering.” John obtained a gun and blew his brains out in one of their bathtubs – traumatizing the staff.

***** So – do YOU want to die on YOUR legal terms – or, do YOU want to “appreciate the Christian understanding of redemptive suffering”? WHO gets to decide how YOU die – YOU or a church you may not belong to??? See the 1776 North Carolina state constitution listed above – “..not on any pretenses whatsoever.. shall YOU be compelled…”

*** “I don’t want to see religious bigotry in any form. I would disturb me if there was a wedding between the religious fundamentalists and the political right. The hard right has no interest in religion except to manipulate it.”

[Billy Graham, 1981]

6] Partial known summary: Religious zealots want to control YOUR reproductive life – by any means necessary; Religious zealots want to control how YOU die; Religious zealots want to establish “the Snitch State” – with a $10,000 bounty on YOUR head; Religious zealots want to control YOUR use of public roads if YOU want to escape their “Handmaid’s Tale” dictatorship; Religious zealots want to intercept YOUR mail if YOU are guilty of “immoral conduct” by ordering birth control pills; Religious zealots want to control books in YOUR public library and in YOUR chid’ school; Religious zealots want to put up the Christian “10 Commandments” in public buildings; Religious zealots want to change science and history curriculum in public schools

*** Randall Terry: “Our goal is a Christian nation. We have a biblical duty..are called by God to conquer this country. We don’t want equal time..don’t want pluralism.”
Vote Republican in 2024- and YOU can help make Randall Terry’s plan come true – is this what YOU want???