The “evangelical right” talk a lot about America being a Christian nation, and claim this guides their political views, but let’s look at what the Bible really says compared with evangelical policy:

Matthew 5:44 “…I say love your enemies, pray for those who persecute you.” (Unless your enemy happens to be Iran, or someone of Middle Eastern descent who really, really needs to be waterboarded or bombed.)

Exodus 22:21, “You must not mistreat or oppress foreigners in any way. Remember, you yourselves were once foreigners in the land of Egypt.” (Unless they happen to be Latino or Syrian…and heck, we’re in America, not Egypt.)

James 5:4; “For listen, hear the cries of the field workers whom you have cheated of their pay.” (I think James meant to blame the unions, not the “job creators.”)

Matthew 14:15-16; “That evening the disciples came to [Jesus] and said, ‘This is a remote place and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away so they can go to the villages and buy food for themselves.’ But Jesus said, ‘That isn’t necessary — you feed them.’ (I am still trying to find the verse where Paul tells Jesus that they shouldn’t let the safety net turn into a hammock…Wait, was Paul Ryan a disciple?)

Matthew 25:44-45; “Then they will reply, ‘Lord when did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and not help you?’ and he will answer, ‘I tell you the truth: when you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me.’” (I am sure evangelicals will remind Christ that the poor are moochers and we just can’t afford to give everyone health care).

Isaiah 1:17; “Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.” (I just know this was the true theme of Atlas Shrugged.)

Evangelical hypocrisy doesn’t stop with biblical teachings; simply look at the politicians they support. After saying Mormons were not real Christians, they flocked to Mitt Romney; they support Ben Carson, who has admitted to experimenting on fetal tissue from aborted babies. And let’s not even get started on Donald Trump. Now they find themselves in opposition to the Pope, who calls for assistance to the poor, action on climate change and shelter for refugees. Compare that to right-wing ministers like Mike Huckabee who preaches fear of refugees, or Joel “salvation for sale” Osteen, or Franklin “can’t find a bigoted bank to stash my 120 million” Graham. Perhaps it’s not the war on Christmas that’s taken Christ out of Christianity, perhaps it’s the evangelicals.

CHAD SOLSVIK

Coeur d’Alene