By: Keith Kappes
Columnist
Carter County Times
Yes, hearing criticism of the Trump Administration would be commonplace at a public demonstration like the “No Kings” events. And it no doubts happens constantly at bars and restaurants and even in homes where citizens like to argue about politics and politicians.
But likely seldom heard in an historic, revered House of the Lord where critical words spoken from the pulpit on Easter Sunday were greeted with shouts of “amen” and sustained applause.
Specifically, the criticism was directed at President Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth for describing the attack on Iran as something like a Holy War, followed by praying for our bombs and other weapons to kill as many Iranians as possible.
Appropriately, in my opinion, those war mongering words were described by the minister as “blasphemy” and an egregious insult to the Lord on the day set aside to celebrate his death and resurrection for the benefit of all of us.
As my friend and I sat there in 170-year-old Union Church in the middle of the Berea College campus, we found ourselves reacting spontaneously by joining other worshippers with applause and “amens.”
I recall saying “amen” two of three times and having each rekindle warm memories of growing up in the Presbyterian Church in Hitchins where my dear mother wouldn’t let me or my brother say it aloud, even during a revival.
I hope Mom will forgive me for that breach of her church etiquette but I believe in my heart that she would be outraged at how Christianity is being hijacked by the white male nationalists who have swarmed into the MAGA movement.
Could it be that President Trump is not aware of what happened to King Richard I of England who died broke and disgraced when he failed in the Third Crusade warmaking to take back the Holy Land from the Muslims.
Perhaps his Cabinet should advise him that Richard failed about 1,000 years ago and that their common “enemy” in the Middle East today owns or controls even more of the land, all of the Strait of Hormuz and most of the oil.
Contact Keith at keithkappes@gmail.com
