It's hard enough to believe that a candidate for President Of the United States can make remarks suggesting that it is somehow alright to perpetrate sexual assault on women on the basis of some form of elitism,either of me over women,or the one percent over the rest of the peons or both.What's even harder to stomach is the number of people on social media that,if they have not bought into the idea of this being"just locker room talk",suggest that it's time for the rest of us to "forgive" Mr.Trump for his indiscretions.Presumably these people,or at least some of them are Evangelicals,citing forgiveness as a Christian value.The problem is that there is a certain model of forgiveness that IS Christian.But I'm not seeing this model here,just something vaguely similar to it.So lets give this some thought.
To Donald Trumps credit,he has stated he is not proud of having made the comments he has.very good,that's a start.It also acknowledges the need for forgiveness in his particular case.moreover,the many comments on social media likewise note that forgiveness is called for,because there is something that needs to be forgiven.The problem is,forgiveness is to be based on repentance.Forgiveness without repentance cheapens the whole concept.
One person commenting on my Facebook page in the past few days made a no doubt well meaning quote from Psalm 51,Davids Psalm of repentance.Therefor,the author of this comment said,we should all forgive Donald Trump.Well,that's a nice sentiment,but I simply note one key difference between King David and Donald Trump.King David was broken over his wrongdoing.And the day I hear anything like that from Donald Trump,i'll believe that he is similarly broken.
In the meantime,and since some choose to bring this issue into the realm of faith,where it does in fact belong,lets consider why Trumps comments are not simply locker room talk,unseemly,but rather harmless.
The problem with talk is that it represents ideas.It expresses a certain mindset.In the case of Mr. Trump,those are ugly and erroneous ideas.The video in question was ugly to hear and can not simply be dismissed,because long after you forget,of wrongly forgive the talk,the idea will still be there,unless there is genuine repentance.Now have we heard that? Think back to the early days of this dog and pony show.It's been one thing after another since Trump's campaign began.This latest talk is just flavor of the week ignorance,and no matter how much one wishes it away,it keeps rearing it's head.
What specifically is wrong with Mr.Trump's "locker room talk",from a faith perspective? First,where do women come from? from the rib of a man,from the DNA of the first created man,a being created in God's image.Woman was not simply a subset of man,but rather,both are subsets of Our Father,who encompasses both.Therefor,to demean women is to demean man as well.But,the biggest problem is that in so doing,Mr.Trump is really presenting an affront to God.And that is something Evangelicals need to come to terms with before election day.
If it seems fit to forgive Mr.Trump for those actions that he says he's not proud of,then do that.But I haven't heard anything that convinces me that he is at all sorry for what he's said.I'm also not convinced that even if a person were truly sorry for such things,that the thought processes that give rise to that sort of speech can be overcome in a matter of weeks,if ever.Speaking from experience,and even with the help of The Holy Spirit,dealing with my own sin is an ongoing process,as it is for every one of us.And I don't presume to know the state of Mr.Trumps soul.But,if he is not ready for The Office Of President,and by virtue of observable behavior he would seem not to be,then he should stand down. That's not going to happen,so it's up to all of the electorate,including Evangelicals to search their souls before casting their votes.So,if you're going to forgive,reread your scripture and make sure it's really warranted.Make certain that offense to God is not an ongoing thing.And remember,even if it's not,accountability might still entail that Mr.Trump not be elected.
blyndpapaya
Monday 17 October 2016
Thursday 13 October 2016
Americas First Scary Clown
So do you really still want to vote for Trump? It's been months now and this whole thing has been nothing more than a freak show that grows worse with each passing moment.Do any of you get this? It's not going to get any better.
So is this all just locker room talk? Well,not in any locker room I've ever been in.It's not even as common on construction sites as it once was.This is not simply harmless talk,not just meaningless trash talk.It's vile and inconsiderate,an insult to any person who claims even the smallest amount of civility.Just a civilized people do not use Mark Furman's infamous "N" word,so should they never refer to a woman,ANY woman as a collection of a few of her body parts,namely those in which the basest of men find immature gratification.This is usually a stage in human development.Then again,many well brought up boys outgrow it.And some "men" never do.
This is not just more whining from the Liberal,PC crowd.Yes,I'm a liberal,and the fact that so many people find Trumps comments offensive,and can explain why they are offensive,so even an eight year old can understand it,is in part proof of the value of Liberalism.The world can be improved with thoughtful debate.We can "get there from here",and we are obligated to do so.
Let me tell you why I'm offended by Mr.Trump.First,and most obviously,his comments are offensive to women,to our wives,nieces,sisters and daughters. Misogyny is nothing new,especially among the knuckle dragging wannabe elites,but it has never been morally right.It never will be.Now,I may be a man,but when you suggest that privilege gives you the right to defile women whom I love and admire,I have an issue with you.Further,His comments are insulting to MEN.Mr.Trump,you portray men,something like one half of your electorate as being sex crazed,vulgar morons dying of testosterone poisoning and feeling perfectly justified in doing so,never having a care for the hurt caused to the other half of humanity.Well,Mr.Trump,let me make this as clear as I can-YOU DO NOT SPEAK FOR ME!
Unfortunately,if my Facebook page is anywhere near average,in terms of posted comments,there is a sizable portion of the American electorate that is more than willing to just brush off your vulgarity,either because partisan politics,especially that brand of political response that has been conditioned since childhood Trumps any moral consideration,or because they are so taken up in hating Clinton,that they will accept any alternative as being better.Really? One thing is for certain,your preaching of hate seems to be working.But you are badly mistaken if you think it's the only alternative.I'm guessing a lot of voters have you figured out.
I for one,am not afraid of Mexicans.I do not fear Muslims because they practice Islam,or Blacks because they are black,and feel they deserve a better life.But let me tell you what really does concern me.Assuming that something like half of voting Americans condone you speech and it's content,either overtly or by moral omission,I am very concerned.Because you see,Mr.Trump that purifying rot doesn't come out of your mouth for no reason.It proceeds from your thoughts.And again,assuming half the people still find you acceptable,that means there are a lot of people in any given neighborhood,on any given street who think similar thoughts.And that makes me very uneasy when it comes to the actual safety of women I love.How dare you imply,under any circumstances that they only exist for the pleasure of yourself and your knuckle dragging comrades.The really disturbing thing-if only ten percent of your supporters are as virulent in their views as you are,there are still a lot more of you and your ilk than there are registered sex offenders.So,I might see the actual legal and moral merit of "Hiliary For Prison" if you also volunteered to be put on a sex registry.Yes,I know,you are not convicted of any sexual offense,but neither is Clinton convicted of any wrong doing.But you have convinced me that your thoughts are dark and depraved,in a seemingly unending manner.
Let's take a look at some of the things you build your politics on in the light brought to bear by your current statements.First,you suggest that Mexicans are rapists and criminals.Your words! Mr.Trump,after last week's revelations,you hold no moral high ground in such a statement,not that you ever did.
You suggest that we should turn away Muslim refugees.They are terrorists and you don't want to encourage Islamic values.Like misogyny,for instance? Well ,there certainly is no need to import that is there? It seems to grow here in abundance,along with hypocrisy.To that end,let me note that I just met a family of Syrian refugees this past week-in church.Turns out they are not Muslims,but persecuted Christians.But thankfully an America under Donald Trump will fully vet immigrants.Better,hopefully when you are deporting them than when they were let in.But I'm betting that the process turns away many of the honest hard working immigrants that any country should be happy to have as citizens.Oh,and did I just say the "T" word? Because terror is exactly what many women experience when your special brand hatred and entitlement are prevalent in society.And,because I love women,feel concern for them,I feel terrorized too.Once again,you seem to have no moral standing.
I really thought seeing a disabled man being mocked by by you told me all I needed to know.Well,it did tell me that I didn't have to step in it to know that it's not mud.But your latest comments are even lower than that.It seems to me that you have no moral center,that you are not grounded in right and wrong except as it involves your entitlement to walk all over the rest of humanity just to justify you own entitlement.You scare me Mr.Trump.Moreover,you are an utter mockery of any sort of political process,and of The Office Of President.America does not need a First Scary Clown,and I'm guessing that even given a lack of ideal alternatives,Americans are beginning to realize that.
blyndpapaya
So is this all just locker room talk? Well,not in any locker room I've ever been in.It's not even as common on construction sites as it once was.This is not simply harmless talk,not just meaningless trash talk.It's vile and inconsiderate,an insult to any person who claims even the smallest amount of civility.Just a civilized people do not use Mark Furman's infamous "N" word,so should they never refer to a woman,ANY woman as a collection of a few of her body parts,namely those in which the basest of men find immature gratification.This is usually a stage in human development.Then again,many well brought up boys outgrow it.And some "men" never do.
This is not just more whining from the Liberal,PC crowd.Yes,I'm a liberal,and the fact that so many people find Trumps comments offensive,and can explain why they are offensive,so even an eight year old can understand it,is in part proof of the value of Liberalism.The world can be improved with thoughtful debate.We can "get there from here",and we are obligated to do so.
Let me tell you why I'm offended by Mr.Trump.First,and most obviously,his comments are offensive to women,to our wives,nieces,sisters and daughters. Misogyny is nothing new,especially among the knuckle dragging wannabe elites,but it has never been morally right.It never will be.Now,I may be a man,but when you suggest that privilege gives you the right to defile women whom I love and admire,I have an issue with you.Further,His comments are insulting to MEN.Mr.Trump,you portray men,something like one half of your electorate as being sex crazed,vulgar morons dying of testosterone poisoning and feeling perfectly justified in doing so,never having a care for the hurt caused to the other half of humanity.Well,Mr.Trump,let me make this as clear as I can-YOU DO NOT SPEAK FOR ME!
Unfortunately,if my Facebook page is anywhere near average,in terms of posted comments,there is a sizable portion of the American electorate that is more than willing to just brush off your vulgarity,either because partisan politics,especially that brand of political response that has been conditioned since childhood Trumps any moral consideration,or because they are so taken up in hating Clinton,that they will accept any alternative as being better.Really? One thing is for certain,your preaching of hate seems to be working.But you are badly mistaken if you think it's the only alternative.I'm guessing a lot of voters have you figured out.
I for one,am not afraid of Mexicans.I do not fear Muslims because they practice Islam,or Blacks because they are black,and feel they deserve a better life.But let me tell you what really does concern me.Assuming that something like half of voting Americans condone you speech and it's content,either overtly or by moral omission,I am very concerned.Because you see,Mr.Trump that purifying rot doesn't come out of your mouth for no reason.It proceeds from your thoughts.And again,assuming half the people still find you acceptable,that means there are a lot of people in any given neighborhood,on any given street who think similar thoughts.And that makes me very uneasy when it comes to the actual safety of women I love.How dare you imply,under any circumstances that they only exist for the pleasure of yourself and your knuckle dragging comrades.The really disturbing thing-if only ten percent of your supporters are as virulent in their views as you are,there are still a lot more of you and your ilk than there are registered sex offenders.So,I might see the actual legal and moral merit of "Hiliary For Prison" if you also volunteered to be put on a sex registry.Yes,I know,you are not convicted of any sexual offense,but neither is Clinton convicted of any wrong doing.But you have convinced me that your thoughts are dark and depraved,in a seemingly unending manner.
Let's take a look at some of the things you build your politics on in the light brought to bear by your current statements.First,you suggest that Mexicans are rapists and criminals.Your words! Mr.Trump,after last week's revelations,you hold no moral high ground in such a statement,not that you ever did.
You suggest that we should turn away Muslim refugees.They are terrorists and you don't want to encourage Islamic values.Like misogyny,for instance? Well ,there certainly is no need to import that is there? It seems to grow here in abundance,along with hypocrisy.To that end,let me note that I just met a family of Syrian refugees this past week-in church.Turns out they are not Muslims,but persecuted Christians.But thankfully an America under Donald Trump will fully vet immigrants.Better,hopefully when you are deporting them than when they were let in.But I'm betting that the process turns away many of the honest hard working immigrants that any country should be happy to have as citizens.Oh,and did I just say the "T" word? Because terror is exactly what many women experience when your special brand hatred and entitlement are prevalent in society.And,because I love women,feel concern for them,I feel terrorized too.Once again,you seem to have no moral standing.
I really thought seeing a disabled man being mocked by by you told me all I needed to know.Well,it did tell me that I didn't have to step in it to know that it's not mud.But your latest comments are even lower than that.It seems to me that you have no moral center,that you are not grounded in right and wrong except as it involves your entitlement to walk all over the rest of humanity just to justify you own entitlement.You scare me Mr.Trump.Moreover,you are an utter mockery of any sort of political process,and of The Office Of President.America does not need a First Scary Clown,and I'm guessing that even given a lack of ideal alternatives,Americans are beginning to realize that.
blyndpapaya
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