I am Jewish, and I have been quite disappointed with the lack of response from some of the most influential Jewish Americans, regarding not only the current round of anti-semitism, but also the sheer lack of empathy for human and civil rights for all other minority populations of this nation. The Jewish billionaire Sheldon Adelson who had contributed at least $125 million to the Trump campaign seems to to remain silent regarding the list of Trumps’ self admitted White Supremacists like Steve Bannon, Stephen Miller and still no outward cry by Adelson as the most recent Nazi, Sebastian Gorka, joins the Trump team. I have harangued and hollered regarding Rabbi Marvin Hier speaking at Trump’s inauguration defending his attendance as the right thing to do, but remaining conveniently quiet while the JCC’s/Day Schools/ and Synagogues are threatened. I have given up on the Kushner Family both the father and son Kushner’s realizing that they must think buying tickets to High Holiday services is enough Jewish activism necessary to keep God happy. I have also been quite disappointed with the Rabbi’s and Congregants of each and every shul the Kushner Family belongs. And of course there are the Republican Jews who are mindful of Israel’s right to exist, but somehow less enthusiastic regarding the democratic principles of this nation so rotted away by anyone Trump. Disillusioned by my own chosen religious group is being kind, disappointed a bit more to the point, disheartened perhaps the word of the moment as the one thing the Jewish people always say is to Never Forget!
I am not a Christian, but having lived with an ex-Jesuit Priest, working as a student teacher in a Catholic School, having been raised in the 1950’s in Pittsburgh, starting each school day with a paragraph from the New Testament, followed by reciting the Lord’s Prayer, and thankfully knowing and loving other Christians I have an idea what this religion can offer. But Lordy, Lordy, Lordy, in my 67 years of living alongside the Christian community I have never been so embarrassed, and angry with the devout Catholics and Evangelicals who have continued to support Trump and his cohort of self described Family Values Republicans. It seems as long as the Jesus of Jerry Falwell Jr, Pat Robertson, or Franklin Graham, hates the LGBT community and those lose women who ask to be raped, don’t let their husbands have his way with them, and use birth control, derides people of color, The Republican Party, is the all American political choice.
The Evangelicals who have decided that adultery is a sin for anyone not Republican…who believe same-sex, sex is a sin except if you are doing it yourself but have your wife stand next to you to swear that was then and this is now…The Evangelicals and Devout Catholics who love them some Paul Ryan cutting affordable health care, or the meals on wheels budget, or nutrition at school, or lack of clean air. The Christians who have sold their souls to charlatans because Jesus is a member of the NRA/a banker/a greedy gluttonous God and Republican, and hates the Gays, SHAME because your hypocrisy has the stench of the Devil so proudly proclaim, as everyone else’s sin! There used to be a place in Hell for you, but its called living in America!
