The most impt objective is to lawfully get rid of T, but IMO, churches must also defend "separation of church & state" by NOT seeking govt money for Christian ministry, even if that severely restricts ministries currently running. This is exactly the worst-case scenario & the reason why. It's imperative that churches defend our Constitutional rights to exist separately from & outside of govt, w the power to criticize it. Once we take tax money, we have breached it. I know this will hurt innocent suffering people (whom this govt in many cases intend toi hurt), but for the sake of freedom TO serve increasingly marginalized people, its an impt step. We must then call Jesus-followers to step up with more commitment to fund ministry and defend freedom.
Right wing Christian Evangelical Nationalists have now commandeered the reins of the US Government and numerous state governments. This has happened through collaborative manipulation by the Republican Party at all levels. Freedom of religion is no longer available to individuals or groups without discrimination or bias in America. Religion now is fully corporate and fully political and is no longer free from government interference. Freedom of religion, freedom of speech and freedom of assembly will soon be a thing of the past. Trump is empowering an American Inquisition. Rest assured, Trump and Congress will direct that only specific churches, approved by Trump, will retain their special status under the IRS Code. And, some churches will be targeted as subversive. Church leaders will be prosecuted. Faithful in America, we all had better hang together, or surely, we will be hanged one by one.
My church, the Episcopal Church, canceled our relationship with the State Dept. regarding settling migrants when they asked us to help resettle Afrikaner “refugees” immediately when other, real refugees had been waiting in line for years. It hurt financially, but we weren’t going to play along with performance racism by the WH.
Change is a constant in our world, and while it often brings wonderful benefits, it can also bring discomfort. This is true not just in our personal lives, but in the life of our government as well.
As a human institution, our government evolves, makes mistakes, and sometimes changes its focus. It can be tempting to curse the darkness when these shifts create a void, leave a need unmet, or seem to perpetuate an injustice.
But for us as Christians, these moments are not setbacks—they are our most exciting and rewarding callings. This is when we are challenged to be like Jesus, the Light of the World, and shine brightest by stepping in where help is desperately needed.
We see this challenge clearly today in the world of nonprofits. A federal grant is essentially a designated donation from the government. When policy shifts and that funding is suddenly withdrawn from a trusted nonprofit, it creates a crisis. The organization faces a crossroads: abandon a vital program and let people suffer, or find a new source of support.
For us, abandoning the mission is never an option. As Christians, we are called to respond to this challenge not with despair, but with determination. We are compelled to find alternative sources of support and strengthen the nonprofit’s appeal to ensure its funding is more dependable than ever.
This is our opportunity to turn a potential void into a testament of faith, proving that when one door closes, our community of believers is ready to build a new one.
Hi Diana -- I'm a bit late responding to this (emergency surgery; all is well). I will forward this to Westar and my other Christian and Unitarian Universalist activist lists. We are in a dictatorship now, and a police state. I hope you are safe -- being so close to Washington, D.C. I love that city -- lived there for 30 years, and now live just an hour away in Frederick, MD -- and I am much distressed by Trump's takeover. Be well and keep writing. Your voice is wanted and needed.
The fundamental question here regards government guiding the Christian church OR its members(Holy Spirit). Not unlike the NPR defunding, there is a wonderful opportunity to turn away from government control and fickle political funding. Let’s get the government out of our churches and stand in the funding gap guided by the Holy Spirit. Let’s not forget how the early church was co-opted and subsumed by the Roman Empire.
Christian Nationalism is a danger. They want to control everything by their version of Christianity. Unfortunately, their version is power and control. It is nothing like the example of Jesus or what Jesus taught. This movement must be stopped.
I'm afraid this is the first step in a quest to ultimately strip Progressive churches of their tax exempt status because we are out of line with the objectives of this administration.
I don't understand what "separation of church and state" means if churches accept government funding. I don't get it. Can someone enlighten me, please.
Christian? Not at all. The only way to call this wretched evil ‘Christian’ is to change the definition. Actually, that’s what’s happening. Most people accepting this title wouldn’t know Jesus if he was standing in front of them.
The most impt objective is to lawfully get rid of T, but IMO, churches must also defend "separation of church & state" by NOT seeking govt money for Christian ministry, even if that severely restricts ministries currently running. This is exactly the worst-case scenario & the reason why. It's imperative that churches defend our Constitutional rights to exist separately from & outside of govt, w the power to criticize it. Once we take tax money, we have breached it. I know this will hurt innocent suffering people (whom this govt in many cases intend toi hurt), but for the sake of freedom TO serve increasingly marginalized people, its an impt step. We must then call Jesus-followers to step up with more commitment to fund ministry and defend freedom.
Great article. Very scary prospect it helps to look to past examples like Paul Tilch for how to react.
Right wing Christian Evangelical Nationalists have now commandeered the reins of the US Government and numerous state governments. This has happened through collaborative manipulation by the Republican Party at all levels. Freedom of religion is no longer available to individuals or groups without discrimination or bias in America. Religion now is fully corporate and fully political and is no longer free from government interference. Freedom of religion, freedom of speech and freedom of assembly will soon be a thing of the past. Trump is empowering an American Inquisition. Rest assured, Trump and Congress will direct that only specific churches, approved by Trump, will retain their special status under the IRS Code. And, some churches will be targeted as subversive. Church leaders will be prosecuted. Faithful in America, we all had better hang together, or surely, we will be hanged one by one.
this is scary
The Episcopal church does not condone what the Trump administration is doing for it goes against the teachings of our Lord, Jesus Christ.
My church, the Episcopal Church, canceled our relationship with the State Dept. regarding settling migrants when they asked us to help resettle Afrikaner “refugees” immediately when other, real refugees had been waiting in line for years. It hurt financially, but we weren’t going to play along with performance racism by the WH.
Answering the Call When Support Shifts
Change is a constant in our world, and while it often brings wonderful benefits, it can also bring discomfort. This is true not just in our personal lives, but in the life of our government as well.
As a human institution, our government evolves, makes mistakes, and sometimes changes its focus. It can be tempting to curse the darkness when these shifts create a void, leave a need unmet, or seem to perpetuate an injustice.
But for us as Christians, these moments are not setbacks—they are our most exciting and rewarding callings. This is when we are challenged to be like Jesus, the Light of the World, and shine brightest by stepping in where help is desperately needed.
We see this challenge clearly today in the world of nonprofits. A federal grant is essentially a designated donation from the government. When policy shifts and that funding is suddenly withdrawn from a trusted nonprofit, it creates a crisis. The organization faces a crossroads: abandon a vital program and let people suffer, or find a new source of support.
For us, abandoning the mission is never an option. As Christians, we are called to respond to this challenge not with despair, but with determination. We are compelled to find alternative sources of support and strengthen the nonprofit’s appeal to ensure its funding is more dependable than ever.
This is our opportunity to turn a potential void into a testament of faith, proving that when one door closes, our community of believers is ready to build a new one.
Hi Diana -- I'm a bit late responding to this (emergency surgery; all is well). I will forward this to Westar and my other Christian and Unitarian Universalist activist lists. We are in a dictatorship now, and a police state. I hope you are safe -- being so close to Washington, D.C. I love that city -- lived there for 30 years, and now live just an hour away in Frederick, MD -- and I am much distressed by Trump's takeover. Be well and keep writing. Your voice is wanted and needed.
The fundamental question here regards government guiding the Christian church OR its members(Holy Spirit). Not unlike the NPR defunding, there is a wonderful opportunity to turn away from government control and fickle political funding. Let’s get the government out of our churches and stand in the funding gap guided by the Holy Spirit. Let’s not forget how the early church was co-opted and subsumed by the Roman Empire.
Oh! Truly terrifying! Wondering “how long Lord, how long…?”
From today’s gospel:
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Christian Nationalism is a danger. They want to control everything by their version of Christianity. Unfortunately, their version is power and control. It is nothing like the example of Jesus or what Jesus taught. This movement must be stopped.
I'm afraid this is the first step in a quest to ultimately strip Progressive churches of their tax exempt status because we are out of line with the objectives of this administration.
I don't understand what "separation of church and state" means if churches accept government funding. I don't get it. Can someone enlighten me, please.
Christian? Not at all. The only way to call this wretched evil ‘Christian’ is to change the definition. Actually, that’s what’s happening. Most people accepting this title wouldn’t know Jesus if he was standing in front of them.
Chilling indeed. I have been unaware of the 7 Mountains - thank you for sharing