Issues over the separation of state and church have never been so evident as today if one is to follow Donald Trump’s most recent campaign scheme. It is blatantly obvious that Trump is attempting to win the support of American’s estimated 90 million evangelists. In Christianity, evangelism or witnessing is the act of preaching the gospel with the intention of sharing the message and teachings of Jesus Christ. Now one has Trump selling “God Bless America Bibles” for $59.99 as he himself faces mounting legal bills. But what of the other millions of Americans who worship according to the teachings of the Koran or Torah?
Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) reportedly said former President Trump selling the branded Bibles is “risky business” given the sins of his life, adding to criticism against the former president over the deal. Warnock, a reverend who on Sunday gave an Easter sermon at Ebenezer Baptist Church, Martin Luther King Jr.’s church in Atlanta, said selling the Bibles goes against the tenets of the religion. He also noted that the Bible sales were ironic given Trump’s history of lying. Moreover, the sale of the Bibles has been widely criticized on line and mocked since their announcement, including by numerous well known Christian leaders.
What is of greater concern is the fact that this campaign strategy is increasingly blurring the separation of church and state, a major premise in the governance in most modern democracies. Unfortunately, there are a number of Christian-based writers who are attacking what they refer to as the impact of so-called “secularization” and “paganization” on American society, especially on family values. They point to the resulting demise of the traditional family whereby an estimated one-fifth of American households now conform to the “nuclear family” model of mother, father and children. In 1960, that number was reported as 45 percent, and some 40 percent of all children lack a biological father in the home. They perceive this as a result of the decline in the number of Christian homes, and in turn Christian-based values. However, based on recent social science studies, researchers today would definitely argue that this assertion represents an over simplification and generalization.
What is most interesting is that even among the various different Christian churches, there are numerous disparities over how they deal with today’s societal changes. The more conservative churches have been leading the charge against issues surrounding abortion, same-sex marriage, homosexuality and transgender identity. However, other churches have been taking a more moderate view of how to approach such issues, given that the majority of their followers accept greater tolerance and understanding in terms of such issues. As a result, similar to what we see in American political circles, there is just as much division among American clerics. This phenomenon has also affected rulings within the judicial system, which should fundamentally to be impartial and secular in its deliberations.
One has to question the belief that adherence to any one particular religion would help to resolve the challenges facing today’s issues in modern Western society. For example, the battle between science and religion is on-going, as evidenced during the pandemic. In addition, one has to conclude that right-wing organizers will unfortunately continue to incorporate Christian arguments and positions whenever they appear to benefit their causes.
For the most part, people, including agnostics, are tolerant of religious beliefs, as long as they are not forced upon them. America is a society that has always promoted and attempted to protect the rights of individuals, including freedom of religion and expression. What Donald Trump is doing is an affront to those very rights in his hypocritical move to obtain the political support of a fraction of American society. He is the last person that I would imagine trying to purvey Christian values!
FROLITICKS 
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