Too Soon For That Second Deep Breath

The Fight Is Not Over

Thank God for a successful, if not peaceful, transfer of power. I, for one, felt as though the weight of the world lifted from our shoulders as we watched our country’s deliverance from evil. I’m afraid, though, it’s too soon for that second deep breath. We have more work to do.

I wish I knew where to go from here. Even though many of us have left the Evangelical Church over their support of Trump, I hope with all my heart that we have not left Jesus. I know I have not. His actions and teachings as they are recounted in the Gospels leave us an almost impossible “to do” list. I don’t know how to forgive those who claim to follow Jesus and yet continue to support Donald Trump and his agenda of treason.

Prayer Is Always An Appropriate Response

There is one thing, however, we can all do. Honestly, I’m not up to praying for my enemies yet. But we can pray for those who have been, and are, in the midst of the fight that continues. Yesterday, the Department of Homeland Security issued a Domestic Terror Alert. Anyone who’s paying attention knows that Trump’s thugs were just getting started on January 6, 2021.

Like those who lived through the aftermath of the American Civil War, we have a tragic “new normal.” Treason seems to be acceptable, at least to many Republicans. My God. I simply cannot believe it is true, but it is. The majority of Republican Senators are ready to dismiss the accused criminal without even participating in our judicial process. Like rats, they are scurrying to save their political party, curry favor with their QAnon constituents, and avoid infuriating the evil man who set it all in motion.

So, dear readers, please forgive me for the snail’s pace of my recovery.  I will bounce back, and I’m hoping our nation will do the same. We have always had evil elements afoot, as does all mankind. Cowards, villains, and heroes weave the tapestry of our human story. The Villain won’t be conquered today or tomorrow. His minion Trump will machinate from the golf course. The cowards will conspire to hold onto their power, truth be damned. But from among the Republicans, a few demonstrate courage, integrity, and honor. It is only right that we recognize them, and pray for them.

Pray For Those on the Front Lines

Ten Republican US Representatives, who bucked their party’s pressure and jeopardized their own safety as well as their careers, voted yes to the second impeachment:

Five Republican US Senators who, as of Jan 27, 2021 declared their willingness to at least participate in the impeachment trial:

Our Democratic Congressmen and Congresswomen who, by their very party affiliation, are targets of the right-wing Neo-Nazis, white supremacists, and false-conspiracy theorist QAnons.

What Is God Calling You to Do?

Scars of Honor

When I was little, I thought everyone’s dad had one. The scar was long and curved and deep, carved into my father’s back between his spine and his left lung. Because we lived in South Florida without air conditioning, he was frequently shirtless, and I just thought it was something all men had.

Then I went to my friend Linda’s house and saw her dad mowing the lawn without his shirt. Typical pale suburban dad back, but no scar.

So I asked my mom about it.

“Shush!! We don’t talk about that. Don’t say anything to Dad. Just ignore it.”

It was years before I discovered the truth. I knew my father had served in Europe during WWII. What I didn’t know was that he had been captured by the Nazis and tortured. That particular scar was the only one visible on the outside of the man they had broken. It was the internal scars that never healed; they were the ones that twisted him into a father who, in turn, broke his children.

I don’t write much about my father. Now that I am older than he was when he died, I think I can finally see him with some clarity and detachment. The best of him instilled in me an unshakable set of ethics. From him I inherited the knowledge of right and wrong, a profound devotion to the truth, a kick-ass work ethic, an unflagging honesty, a decided aversion to bullshit, a lifelong dedication to standing up for what’s right, and the absolute unwillingness to tolerate racism. When Miami schools were desegregated in the late 1960’s, the local PTA dads were sure they could count on my father’s support to protest the disruption in our little white bread neighborhood.  My father had fought the Nazis, authors of white supremacy, so he clearly declined their invitation.  Furious with his lack of enthusiasm for their plan, these local racists threatened harm to me and my brother Matthew.

Big, big mistake.

Evil Then

These men had a secret sign among them as a signal of their white supremacist leanings. Each of their porch lights glowed green in the night.

My father, who had been a sharpshooter, took out each of those green bulbs. One shot per bulb. That’s all it took.

Nobody bothered me or Matt after that. The other dads yanked their kids out of public school and put them in Christian school. Matt was bused to Brownsville, and my school (which was mostly Cuban) welcomed hundreds of Black students from Brownsville. And honestly, I never thought anything about it. This was Miami. We were a spicy gumbo of Cuban, Caribbean, South American, Black, and other miscellaneous influences. Folks like my parents had moved from the Midwest, and we were the minority. To me this was just life, and I was quite comfortable in this melting pot of humanity.

The long-term effects of my father’s brokenness played out in my life, as well as my brother Matt’s (1958-2007). I’ve spent  a lot of time sorting the bad from the good. By the grace of God, and the healing that has come from my relationship with Jesus Christ, I believe I’ve been able to let go of much of the darkness that came from my childhood. Instead, I’ve allowed and encouraged myself to cling to the positive aspects of my upbringing. Above all else, I appreciate and celebrate the gifts my father gave me from an unbroken place in his soul:

The knowledge of right and wrong, a profound devotion to the truth, a kick-ass work ethic, an unflagging honesty, a decided aversion to bullshit, a lifelong dedication to standing up for what’s right, and the absolute unwillingness to tolerate racism.

My father taught me what is worth dying for. His many-times-great paternal grandfather Elijah was decorated for heroism in the American Revolution. His mother’s family home was a stop along the Underground Railroad. My family has stood up for independence from England, for civil rights, and against fascism. I come from people who fight for what we believe to be right.

Evil Now

Now honestly, I never thought I would have to stand up against my own people. I thought I was in with the good guys. But Donald Trump is not a good guy. He’s not even a decent guy. He is the epitome of everything my family fought to protect us from. Sadly, the crowd I was hanging with (Evangelical Christians) largely support him. Of course I had to go.

Consequently, many of my relationships with friends, family, and community members have become strained. Or worse. Yeah, mostly worse. Because I was conditioned, from an early age, to speak up when I see injustice, dishonesty, and racism. Recently I was mocked for writing that I would “fight against Donald Trump with my dying breath.” Clearly, the author doesn’t know me.

I have grandchildren. Would I give my life so they can have a future free of Trump’s legacy? I’d rather not, but if necessary, I will.

I wear a scar on my soul. It’s the price of being raised by a broken warrior; a man who gave his all for his country to fight the evil of fascism. It’s a battle scar that, for a long time, plagued me with the phantom pain of torture in Nazi Germany. Now I wear it with pride. The man who raised me would deserve to see it used to defeat evil once again. Whether Trump wins (God help us all) or Trump loses (the QAnons are armed and ready) we are in the fight of our lives.

I know what I stand for, and I’m ready.

©Rachel Ophoff, Coconut Mountain Communications LLC 2020. All Rights Reserved.

*This article was published by Red Letter Christians in September, 20220

Wisdom on Faith, Danger, and Caring For Others

The “whoosh” gives it away. Actually, Ezri whining at the door is the first sign. Only dogs can detect the shrill whistle of the burner, and she hears it long before the dragon looms overhead. She is terrified. Every day in summer, and on many mornings throughout all four seasons, visitors to Pagosa Springs rise at the crack of dawn and take to the skies.

Kevin and I love it! Who wouldn’t? Colorful characters come drifting over, dipping and lifting and giving visitors to our southern Rockies stunning views of the San Juan Range. At least twice a year, balloonists come from all over the country for festivals that fill our skies. Weekend warriors surprise us on random Saturdays with multiple launches. We keep lawn chairs in the garage so we can pull them into the driveway on a moment’s notice. Cool summer mornings, a cup of coffee, and a sky full of hot-air balloons. What could be better than that?

Even with her meager doggy mind, Ezri can think of a few things.

In fact, I believe she thinks we are probably idiots. She panics, each and every day. We’ve tried everything to calm her. Sadly, we cannot make her understand there is no danger. All we can do is take her fears seriously and pet her. This threat will pass in just a few minutes. We know this is nothing to be concerned about. I wish she understood plain English. All she knows is that there is a fire-breathing dragon just waiting for her moronic humans to step outside and risk incineration.

Whom Do You Trust?

I cannot help but see the parallels between the canine view of the world’s perils and my own. She knows nothing of Donald Trump, COVID-19, climate change, white supremacists, or any impending financial disaster. Her biggest concerns are:

“Are my food and water dish full?”

“Will one of them walk me soon?”

“Are my people okay?”

I once had a church fellow challenge me on comparing animal thought processes to ours, because humans alone are made in the image of God. While the Lord may have made us in His image, we can learn a lot about faith and devotion from our four-legged friends. Being human gives us some distinct advantages, including dubious choices about which of God’s commands to obey. Dogs, on the other hand, know a few good things for certain: chew toys, friendly playmates, food, water, playtime, nap time, and their people.

Ezri’s people are me and Kevin. She depends on us for food and water. She knows one of us will take her outside. In return, she offers unconditional love, unflagging devotion, and if necessary, the willingness to die to protect us should the need arise. She proved that one night when a drunk neighbor tried to walk into our house at 2 AM. We give her our best possible care, and she trusts us, her fallible, idiotic humans, to keep her safe from hot-air balloons.

We Trust Jesus

As humans, we have proof of God’s promise to care for us. When dragons are on the doorstep, we try to have faith that everything is going to be okay.

We trust that our food and water dishes will be full, because Jesus says, “Therefore, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink.”- Matthew 6:25 NIV

Because He said, “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age,” we know He will never leave nor forsake us. (Matthew 28:20 NIV)

The promises of God are numerous, gracious, and good. But what about His instructions to us? Here’s where it’s easy to fall short of canine behavior.

Do we really ask, “Are my people okay?”

In my prayers, I ask God to take care of my people. But the reality is, all my people are not okay. Even if my immediate circle of family and friends appear to be fine at the moment, our Savior was quite clear in His instructions. For followers of Jesus Christ, ALL people are our people. ESPECIALLY “the least of these.”

How do I know this?

Jesus said, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’, and ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'” (Luke 10:27 NIV) When the expert in the law asked, “And who is my neighbor?” Jesus responded with the story of The Good Samaritan.

In Matthew 25:31-46, Jesus gives clear instructions on how treat others in The Parable of the Sheep and the Goats.  Our Savior used simple stories to illustrate moral or spiritual lessons. None of us have to be rocket scientists to understand how He wants us to treat, and protect, our fellow humans.

I could go on and on, listing dozens of verses on how the Bible says we are to treat aliens and strangers in our land; how we are to treat orphans and widows, the poor, and the least of these. If you have questions, you can ask Google or Siri to find Bible verses with these key words.

The reality is, our people are not okay. We have a Biblical mandate, spread throughout the Scriptures, to take care of all people in our Savior’s name. For folks who profess to be followers of Jesus Christ, this is NOT OPTIONAL. THIS IS MANDATORY. And in these uncertain days, we must pull on our big kid pants and fight Trump’s agenda: to terrorize and vilify refugees; to overturn the Affordable Care Act and snatch health insurance from 23 million Americans; to take from the poor and give tax breaks to the rich; to deny a worldwide pandemic because it interferes with his pep rallies; to withdraw federal money for COVID testing; and to protect white supremacists from justice. The list is endless; this just captures the headlines from today.

The terror Ezri feels over hot air balloons parallels the despair I feel over Trump. But then I remember: I am not distressed in the least over giant nylon bags of hot air. God is not in the least distressed over Donald Trump. While I cannot convince Ezri that the dragons are not going to incinerate us, I can trust God that He’s got the Trump situation in His hands. Before we know it, Donald will be a memory. The dragon will be slain.

The fire will be out.

And sadly, we’ll be on to the next challenge, because this ain’t Heaven. But if my dog doesn’t give up, I won’t either. Every stinkin’ morning at least one dragon will rise in her neighborhood. She’ll always believe her owners are idiots. She’ll panic for a few minutes, each and every day, until the danger has passed. We will take her fears seriously and pet her. We will pray for God’s Kingdom to come, for  all people, and for the courage, strength, and wisdom to take action and stand up for what is right.

And we will thank God for it all. Amen.

©2020 Rachel Ophoff, Coconut Mountain Communications LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Coronavirus versus White Supremacy: Which Is Worse?

COVID-19 is shaking the planet. For the first time in our lives, we are weathering a global crisis. Here in the United States, many are experiencing what our own poor and Third World neighbors live with all the time: terror, upheaval, and financial insecurity. It stinks, doesn’t it? Most of us have no idea of what it must feel like to walk in their shoes. We don’t even want to walk down their street. We believe that’s where Real Fear resides.

The Stock Market versus Stocking Up at the Market

No one is more grateful than I for the provision of God. My husband and I don’t have the worries of those who invested in the stock market, because we are (by American standards) poor. Kevin’s job was suspended last week, and we’re not at all sure when it will resume. My job is as fluid in it’s certainty as every other paid-by-the-hour hireling. But we do have a small home, a small savings account, and no debt. Our kids are grown and gone. We are in far better straits than many.

With millions of Americans suffering from job loss as well as the fear of the Coronavirus, I will refrain at this time from lamenting the loss of Christianity in the US as we knew it. I will, however, request that those who believe Donald Trump leads our country in espousing Christian values: please put yourself in the shoes of the suffering. It’s a little easier to do now, isn’t it? Even though, secretly, we are pretty sure that our situation will improve. We are, after all, the United States of America. We are not trying to save our children from gang violence in Guatemala. We’d like to believe that most of us are not desperate to escape poverty. Then again, most of us are out of touch with people who need food stamps and Medicaid. When this is all said and done, who among us will have become “them”?

I hope this disaster reminds us all that we are not “the chosen ones.” If this crisis teaches us nothing else, let it bring home the fact that we are connected by heartstrings to every human on the planet. As Christians, we should be even more so. We are the Lord’s hands and feet on terra firma. Let us resist the temptation to use this nightmare to close ranks and pretend the Bible doesn’t teach compassion for aliens, kindness for strangers, and mercy for the poor. While we are mandated by common decency to help our neighbors, our own fear and suffering is no excuse to shake the rest of the world off of our privileged shoulders. They will still be there, and still be suffering, when we are back on our feet.

What is Real Evil?

COVID-19 is not evil. It’s a virus. But the emergence of this threat is inadvertently revealing a true evil, as is evidenced in today’s headline from ABC News: “White Supremacists encouraging members to spread coronavirus to cops, Jews: FBI”

This, my friends, is where my Real Fear resides.

These low-life scum completely believe that they are the “chosen ones”, and Donald Trump is their savior. It sounds like a bad joke from an SNL skit, but it’s terrifyingly true. Without giving them any air time or publicity, this unconscionable evil spun off from the Religious Right. They are real, they are the Devil Incarnate, and they have very weird ideas backed up by firearms, stockpiles of supplies, and compounds. They have their own news publications that make Fox News sound legit. If you thought the KKK was bad, you ain’t seen nothing yet.

Our gut-level fears usually come from the belief, however fleeting,  that we won’t have our needs met: food, shelter, security, freedom from emotional or physical pain. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus teaches his followers otherwise. From a lifetime of seeing God’s mercy in my own circumstances, I’d like to believe I will continue to trust Him for provision, no matter what happens. The real fear I have, even though I know God is not fazed by this dark reality, is the meteoric rise of white supremacy. Evil scares me far worse than any virus. Illness may kill the body, but evil kills the soul. The number of hate groups in Colorado tripled in eight years, according to an annual report on hate and extremism in America.*

I don’t know about you, but having read the Bible, I am absolutely certain that Jesus Christ would grieve over the actions of these bottom-feeding monsters.

What Can We Do?

Folks, these are terrifying times. Go ahead and post uplifting memes on Facebook to encourage us all; that’s not a bad thing. Better yet, volunteer in your community to help stock the food banks. Brave the supermarket for the elderly. Read to kids over the internet. Do whatever good you can do.

But above all, do not be misled. The Coronavirus will pass, but evil will not be destroyed until the Day of Christ Jesus. Be on your guard, pray hard, read the Gospels, and live out the commands of our Lord and Savior. Stand up for the poor, the stranger, the hungry, and the homeless. And always remember:

“But though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the ruler yet.”-from the hymn This Is My Father’s World, by Maltbie Davenport Babcock.

©2020 Rachel Ophoff, Coconut Mountain Communications LLC. All Rights Reserved.

*by Megan Webber, The Denver Post, 3/19/2020

“This above all: to thine own self be true”- Polonius to his son Laertes in Hamlet, Act 1, scene 3.

On the first day of a new year and a new decade, I’m astonished to find myself writing on  a regular basis. In a corner of our tiny living room, my keyboard and I snuggle up for some quality togetherness by the flicker of firelight. Classical music floats gently down around us. I am flabbergasted. This feels a lot like my dream.

But in my dream, I get paid to write. I no longer have to slave over an adding machine. As a woman of a certain age, I would have had time and experience enough to make sense of my life and peace with the past. People would be interested in reading about it. I could meet with other writers over coffee, extolling the virtues of this lofty life of literature. Highly unlikely, I know. But this new reality is by far the closest I’ve ever come, and ironically, it’s not a story about me at all.

One of the reasons I never got around to writing on a regular basis (other than the critical need to make a living) is that, on the cusp of turning 64, making sense of my life and making peace with the past is just not that interesting. Not even to me. Now that I’m approaching that “vintage” season of my life, I completely understand why older people write their memoirs. We do want to make sense of it all. We want the people we love to understand us, and to remember us. We want to think we’ve made a dent in this world, knowing that all too soon we will be dust that blows away in the wind. If there had ever been anything exceptional about us, we want someone to know.

There has never been anything remarkable about me. But I met an extraordinary Someone, who blew into my life at the age of thirty in a whirlwind of thunder, lightning, healing, and mercy. The brokenness of abuse and addiction was the story I had to tell before, and sorry to say, those stories are a dime a dozen. This world is a tough place (as Jesus said in John 16:33). While they can be sad or sensational, tragic or terminal, there’s just nothing extraordinary about brokenness. Now healing- real healing of the heart, and the soul, and the human spirit-

Now there’s a story.

Anyone who knows me knows that I talk about Jesus all the time. Falling in love with Him is the best thing that ever happened to me. It would be like the local supermarket just started handing out hundred dollar bills. Wouldn’t you tell all your friends to get their cabooses down there and collect theirs? Of course you would! My friend Ellie* laughs when I say this, because she can’t imagine knowing Jesus would be that great of a deal. I tell her, “it’s even better!”

She loves me anyway. And I, her.

But as far as getting my Jesus stories out their publicly: those, too, are a dime a dozen. I never felt a burning need to get mine written and published, because hundreds of thousands of those stories are  immediately available online. Perhaps millions. That’s a good thing, for sure. But I didn’t believe that one more would make any real difference.

So I’ve made earning a living a higher priority than writing for most of my life. Almost everyone has to do that. And I would have continued on that same path; but one day, something awful happened. And for the first time in a long, long while, I could not be silent. I had to speak up, because deep in my soul, I am a writer.  This wasn’t about me. This was about that extraordinary Someone; someone I’d put up my dukes and fight for.

And that is how I have become an accidental activist.

Donald Trump was elected President of the United States.  Now we’ve suffered national crises before, and I was never moved to militancy. This development was far more egregious than just a conservative president versus li’l old liberal me. I didn’t panic when George HW Bush was elected.  I even voted for W. These were conservatives, to be sure, and professing Christians. The difference between them and Trump is that they actually acted like followers of Jesus Christ. While I may not have agreed with their every policy, I respected them and never doubted their faith. Almost all of Trump’s policies suggest that he is in no way familiar with the teachings of Jesus Christ; his words and actions confirm it.

The last straw was the staunch support of the Donald by people who profess to follow Jesus.

When I learned that my non-believing friend Ellie* thought that all Christians support Trump, I knew the time to speak out had arrived. She can’t be the only one who thinks that, and even one is too many.

When desperation drives a dream, motivation drives the dreamer. I couldn’t, and still cannot, live with the notion that people identify all Christ-followers as Trump supporters. There was never any question about how to protest this untenable situation. In short order, I researched the Christian Resistance movement; I secured the domain names; I taught myself how to construct a WordPress 2017 website. And then I began to write.

Now, I laugh as I think of myself as “living the dream.” I’m still slaving over an adding machine. I’m definitely not getting paid to write. The only part of this process that resembles my original dream is the classical music, the firelight, and curling up with my keyboard. The surprise, however, has come from experiencing an unforeseen freedom.

There is no part of this that is about me, except that the Go Daddy account is in my name. I don’t have to worry that this will be interesting enough for people to read. I don’t have to worry about how many readers I’m reaching. I don’t have to feel guilty that I’m doing it for free, spending time and money on  a pursuit I love. I don’t even have to worry about coming up with inspiration, since Donald never ceases to provide fuel for the fire.

And within me burns a crazy contentment, because when I write, I am working the muscles of the gift God gave me. And finally, I am living the great instruction Shakespeare gave his characters Polonius and Laertes in Hamlet; one that has been adopted by Twelve Step groups and others around the world for centuries.

“This above all: to thine own self be true”- Polonius to his son Laertes in Hamlet, Act 1, scene 3, 78-82.

©2020 Rachel Ophoff, Coconut Mountain Communications LLC. All Rights Reserved.

*My friend has a great name- it’s just not Ellie

What Trump’s buddies have to say in response to Donald murdering the Kurds:

“…it would increase the risk that ISIS and other terrorist groups regroup.” Senate Majority Leader,  Republican Mitch McConnell

“If we abandon them, good luck getting anybody to help America in the future with radical Islam, Al Qaeda, and ISIS.” Senator Lindsey Graham, Republican Senator from South Carolina

“Leaving them to die is a big mistake.”– Former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley

Trump Commits Genocide

Today, Donald Trump declared that he’s pulling our troops out of northern Syria, where we’ve been working with and supporting the Kurds in our mutual fight against ISIS and other terrorist organizations. The Kurds have been our steadfast allies, and have died by the thousands beside us in this fight. Trump’s decision to abandon them ensures their mass annihilation in short order.

What defense can he possibly offer when even his supporters and his protectors question this move?

This is really too unbelievable to be true, but here is what he actually tweeted today. I am not kidding:

The President Is Insane

“…if Turkey does anything that I, in my great and unmatched wisdom, consider to be off-limits, I will totally destroy and obliterate the Economy of Turkey.”

And he absolutely believes it.

And do you know why?

Because Evangelical leaders have assured him that he has been chosen by God.   They didn’t have to tell him twice, and he shared this good news with the rest of us on August 24, 2019:

In the midst of answering a question about the ongoing trade war with China, President Donald Trump turned from reporters, looked to heavens and proclaimed, “I am the chosen one.”

Evangelicals Refuse to Speak Up

If you’ve been reading my Facebook posts, it may not seem that I’ve been kind and understanding towards Christians who support Trump. You may not believe me if I say I’ve tried. Many of the people I love have bought into the Religious Right’s blockbuster movement, complete with fabricated Biblical prophecies comparing Donald Trump and King Cyrus. My next blog post will debunk this farce, which is actually easily done.

To those I love who are angered by this message, I’m sorry. I have to choose between standing up for what is right and making sure people like me. I don’t love calling people out, but folks, we’re talking about murder now. It’s not just treason, obstruction of justice, lying, or any of those petty offenses. It’s genocide.

One short year ago, on September 28, 2018 Trump said this of the Kurds:

“They fought with us, and they died with us…they’re great people. And we don’t forget- I don’t forget.” in reference to our continued protective presence with them in Syria.

So why? Why now? What thirty pieces of silver was he offered for this heinous act?

Well, this proclamation came on the heels of a phone conversation with the President of Turkey. What could this man have possibly offered Trump to have him serve up our allies on a platter? Or what does he have on our President that would induce him to commit genocide?

Folks, you have been lied to. I know it’s going to be embarrassing and hard to change your thinking about this man, but I beg you: please get your heads out of the sand and start using the brains the real God gave you.

And for Jesus’ sake, stand up for what’s really right. Americans don’t throw their allies to the wolves. Christians take care of their friends, by direct command from our real leader.

“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for his friends.”– Jesus Christ, John 15: 13 NIV

Let’s follow Him instead.

©Rachel Ophoff, Coconut Mountain Communications LLC 2019. All Rights Reserved.

Why Should Evangelicals Resist the Pro-Trump Church?

As a child, I heard Hans Christian Andersen’s fable, The Emperor’s New Clothes. This particular ruler was quite the dandy- fond of fancy outfits as well as admiring his own sense of style. Along came two charlatans portraying themselves as weavers of excellent garments, and playing to the emperor’s vanity, they promise him a new set of fine clothes. “Only the wisest in your court will be able to see your new outfit,” they promise- thereby giving His Majesty the ability to weed out the foolish and those unfit for their offices. Finally the suit is ready, and the Emperor parades his new “clothes” before his subjects. No one says a word, lest they be thought stupid. It took a child to cry out the truth: “But he isn’t wearing any clothes at all!”

This story has stuck with me for over half a century, and I’ve seen the scenario played out again and again. Never, though, have I seen our national security threatened and the Evangelical Christian Church played for a fool. I identify with the child who outed the Emperor, although this case is far more complex than a simple idiot parading around naked. The players are Donald Trump, the political machine known as the Religious Right, and the leaders of the Republican Party. Together they have woven a movement that many people, including friends of mine, support wholeheartedly. If this had nothing to do with religion, it would just go on to be another footnote in American history. But more about our contemporary emperor…

Comparing Trump’s Platform to Jesus’ Teachings

This forum seeks to expose the lie that Donald Trump’s platform has anything whatsoever to do with the teachings of Jesus Christ. Aside from the abortion issue, there is very little connection. But there are powerful forces at work here, and for the life of me, I see no Jesus anywhere. If it’s just politics, folks, don’t call it Christianity. I’m not the only child calling out in the crowd, but many others  have too much at stake to take a stand. They may still be raising children, supporting their families, or otherwise unable to risk being ostracized.

So why am I speaking up? After all, I’m white and Christian. Not to mention a woman. I have nothing to gain from poking this bear with a stick, and truth be told, I am no threat to them.

Leave the Church or Stay and Fight?

Because this powerful political movement is using my Savior’s name, Jesus Christ, to justify an agenda that runs almost completely contrary to the teachings of the Son of God as they are written in the Gospels. Thousands of Evangelicals are just leaving the church without a word. I may go, but I am not going quietly.

So please bear with me as I construct this site. If you disagree with me, I completely understand. Also, I have no quarrel with non-Christians: they are not subject to Biblical standards, nor would I suggest they review the Gospels to refresh their memories. I will attempt to illuminate the flaws in “Christian Nationalism” and I’m afraid I must insist we treat all of our citizens equally. I also insist we care for the desperate like the Good Samaritan cared for his enemy, a man beaten and left for dead. Call me crazy.

Or call me a Christian.

©Rachel Ophoff, Coconut Mountain Communications LLC 2019. All Rights Reserved.