In the last few days, two prominent conservative, or conservative leaning, theologians public figures have come out and condemned the United States, and democrats in particular, saying their support for marriage equality (among other things) will either bring about God’s wrath, or cause God to abandon the US altogether.
First, Franklin Graham came out and condemned Democrats (and more progressive Republicans) saying:
I will not—cannot—vote for a candidate, regardless of their political affiliation, who supports same-sex marriage and advocates abortion. God will judge our nation if we continue down this path.
Of course, this is a bit of weasel wording to get out of his “Democrats = Bad; Republicans = Good” opening paragraph:
After watching the political conventions of both parties last month, it’s clear that America is quickly hurtling down a road toward God’s judgment.
One party affirms a belief in the sanctity of life. The other party does not. One party supports the traditional, biblical definition of marriage between one man and one woman. The other party enthusiastically endorses and promotes same-sex marriage.
Gee, Franklin, let me guess who you’re talking about.
Then, in the Christian Post, John MacArthur went further off the deep end:
MacArthur warned that the United States is “living in the outpouring of the wrath of God.” And that wrath is specifically the wrath of God abandoning the nation. When God abandons a nation, He gives the people over to the consequences of their behavior, the pastor noted. That society first becomes pornographic and obsessed with sex, and then it sees “degrading” passions and diseases such as homosexuality and HIV/AIDS. And lastly, the people become haters of God, MacArthur listed in sequence.
Shockingly, the pastor said, the Democratic Party has affirmed everything that God hates and that will bring God’s judgment.
This has just got to stop.
No, the gays have never brought about God’s wrath… not even in Sodom and Gomorrah (Ezek 16:49), despite what you may have been told. (Oh, and that passage in Ezekiel 16, God is giving Jerusalem a talking to, saying they were even WORSE than Sodom and Samaria.)
What’s the quickest way to bring about God’s wrath?
Simple, really… exploitation of the weak. In particular, economic exploitation of the poor and working class by the wealthy ruling class.
What God going with the Hebrews in Egypt? When they were turned into slaves.
What does God tell the Israelites about “private property” in Leviticus?
“The land must not be sold permanently, because the land is mine and you reside in my land as foreigners and strangers” (Leviticus 25:23)
Not to mention all the other economic commands God gives in Leviticus.
Isaiah?
“Ah, you who make iniquitous decrees, who write oppressive statutes, to turn aside the needy from justice and to rob the poor of my people of their right, that widows may be your spoil, and that you may make the orphans your prey! What will you do on the day of punishment, in the calamity that will come from far away?” (10:1-3).
James (perhaps my favorite NT epistle)?
“Come now, you rich people, weep and wail for the miseries that are coming to you. Your riches have rotted, and your clothes are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver have rusted, and their rust will be evidence against you, and it will eat your flesh like fire. You have laid up treasure for the last days. Listen! The wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, cry out, and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts” (James 5:1-4).
Not to mention Amos, Micah, and the words of the prophets who spoke out against both people AND government officials who enacted laws that enrich the wealthy at the expense of the poor.
That’s what gets God’s wrath.
So, sorry Messrs. Graham and MacArthur. God’s not going to judge us because of our support for marriage equality or abortion (seriously, read Numbers 5, the priestly ritual commanded by God to be performed on a woman accused of infidelity that results in a forced miscarriage/abortion.).
No, God will judge the US for the actions of all the free-market fundamentalists who say “why should I have to pay for that?” and “it isn’t the government’s job to take care of its people!”. We’ll be judged for the discriminatory actions towards immigrants. Actions that mimic the views of slaves over the centuries… that they’re not human, but chattel.
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