This is cross-posted from Politics USA. Rev. Robert Franek is a Pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America with a liturgical spirituality and a deep interest in the intersections of faith, politics, policy, media, and culture. Neighborlove ethic. Often found reading while having a dark roast coffee.
It’s the weaponization of religion and its insidious intrusion into politics that’s the real danger. The GOP brought this bloc of reliable voters into their party and now the loonies are taking over…Johnson is just the tip of the iceberg that might founder the Republic.
Thank you Tom. You must have a devine connection to keep coming up with what we ned to hear. Something that gives us hope is fer better that just hoping.
From what I’ve read, Mike Johnson uses his church for tax evasion and laundering money from certain Russian oligarchs. This would explain the lack of an apparent bank account. https://unprecedented.ghost.io/archive/man-and-boy/
Not sure about that rumor, but I am bemused about how he pays his mortgage without a bank account. Does he show up at the bank with a suitcase full of cash every month?
Thank you, thank you, thank you....to Rev.Franek for writing it and to you for sharing it.
It is so easy to lump everyone of faith into the label " evangelicals"--defined in our country as the body of religious crazies on the political right. There are many of us of faith who seek everyday to avoid politically weaponizing our beliefs; who refuse to use religious language as a veneer to cover cultural cruelty; and, who work very hard to bring intelligence, understanding and the best of contemporary knowledge and consciousness to the human search for transcendence.
This is not to ignore that there are religious leaders who forge political alliances which end up being counter-sign to what they say they believe. In these cases the individual conscience of members takes priority.
This morning the priest at my Mass, preached on Jesus's indictment of the religious leaders of his time. In the homily he used a quote that has been attributed ( perhaps mis-attributed) to Abe Linoln but which applies to all manner of leaders:
" Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power."
A worthy reminder that believers are not of a single cloth. Good message. Sometimes a burning bush is just a burning bush. Perhaps Mike is in need of a bush aflame.
Indeed, it is good to know Reverend Franek and others like him are out there -- many more of his ilk, I suspect, than vainglorious zealots like Speaker Johnson.
There's a real shortage of humility over there on the right where there seems to be only arrogant certainty. Save us from all those who claim to know what God thinks or does or whom God appoints for anything. Those things become manifest, and it's the becoming that strikes me as truly religious.
Joe Biden impressed me when he was asked about his religion and why he attends the catholic mass and he said because it comforts him. That seems like the proper role for any religion in this troubled world. Truth, inspiration, and strength can be found in spaces of respite and worship, something universal to religions around the world in their churches, synagogues, mosques, ashrams, temples, etc.
Mike Johnson is just another religious niche grifter and rightwing control freak (Ask his wife and kids.). If he had more reptilian eyes he'd remind me of the grand villain preacher played by Robert Mitchum in "Night of the Hunter."
Thank you for sharing Rev. Franek's words. As a Believer myself, and a member of the Episcopalian church (a denomination that is "in communion" with the Lutherans), I relish the open hearts of my fellow worshippers and the welcoming diverse nature and inclusiveness of my church. Rev. Franek expresses what I feel in my weekly worship.
I am a believer also. I attend worship service at my United Methodist church for the same reason President Biden goes to Mass. I feel comforted. I worship with others who want to spend time with God, so they can go out into the world to help make it better. I pray that President Biden will have the strength and perseverance to do the toughest job in the world and to help make life better for others. People like Mike Johnson use religion as a cudgel to hurt others.
Evangelicals. They glance at a sentence and think they know the book. Leave it to a Lutheran to read the whole dang thing.
The evangelical movement is such a total grift. The self-presumption of holiness frosts me the most. Although I don’t want churches involved in politics or government (Romans 13:1-7), the established churches could at least call out false piety more often.
I'd say the good (very good) Reverend said all that needed to be said! Although its a shame that it hasnt been said directly to Mr. Johnson himself - he really needs that huge bubble of self-esteem pricked with a large pin!
Thank you, and Reverend Franek, for this.
It’s the weaponization of religion and its insidious intrusion into politics that’s the real danger. The GOP brought this bloc of reliable voters into their party and now the loonies are taking over…Johnson is just the tip of the iceberg that might founder the Republic.
Thank you Tom. You must have a devine connection to keep coming up with what we ned to hear. Something that gives us hope is fer better that just hoping.
From what I’ve read, Mike Johnson uses his church for tax evasion and laundering money from certain Russian oligarchs. This would explain the lack of an apparent bank account. https://unprecedented.ghost.io/archive/man-and-boy/
Not sure about that rumor, but I am bemused about how he pays his mortgage without a bank account. Does he show up at the bank with a suitcase full of cash every month?
https://unprecedented.ghost.io/archive/mike-johnsons-secret-life/
Amen. Awomen
Thank you, thank you, thank you....to Rev.Franek for writing it and to you for sharing it.
It is so easy to lump everyone of faith into the label " evangelicals"--defined in our country as the body of religious crazies on the political right. There are many of us of faith who seek everyday to avoid politically weaponizing our beliefs; who refuse to use religious language as a veneer to cover cultural cruelty; and, who work very hard to bring intelligence, understanding and the best of contemporary knowledge and consciousness to the human search for transcendence.
This is not to ignore that there are religious leaders who forge political alliances which end up being counter-sign to what they say they believe. In these cases the individual conscience of members takes priority.
This morning the priest at my Mass, preached on Jesus's indictment of the religious leaders of his time. In the homily he used a quote that has been attributed ( perhaps mis-attributed) to Abe Linoln but which applies to all manner of leaders:
" Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power."
Certainly a true statement. As a friend once put it, "A character test is to find out if you have any."
Really good choice Tom, thanks.
A worthy reminder that believers are not of a single cloth. Good message. Sometimes a burning bush is just a burning bush. Perhaps Mike is in need of a bush aflame.
Thank you, Tom.
Indeed, it is good to know Reverend Franek and others like him are out there -- many more of his ilk, I suspect, than vainglorious zealots like Speaker Johnson.
There's a real shortage of humility over there on the right where there seems to be only arrogant certainty. Save us from all those who claim to know what God thinks or does or whom God appoints for anything. Those things become manifest, and it's the becoming that strikes me as truly religious.
Joe Biden impressed me when he was asked about his religion and why he attends the catholic mass and he said because it comforts him. That seems like the proper role for any religion in this troubled world. Truth, inspiration, and strength can be found in spaces of respite and worship, something universal to religions around the world in their churches, synagogues, mosques, ashrams, temples, etc.
Mike Johnson is just another religious niche grifter and rightwing control freak (Ask his wife and kids.). If he had more reptilian eyes he'd remind me of the grand villain preacher played by Robert Mitchum in "Night of the Hunter."
Thank you for sharing Rev. Franek's words. As a Believer myself, and a member of the Episcopalian church (a denomination that is "in communion" with the Lutherans), I relish the open hearts of my fellow worshippers and the welcoming diverse nature and inclusiveness of my church. Rev. Franek expresses what I feel in my weekly worship.
I am a believer also. I attend worship service at my United Methodist church for the same reason President Biden goes to Mass. I feel comforted. I worship with others who want to spend time with God, so they can go out into the world to help make it better. I pray that President Biden will have the strength and perseverance to do the toughest job in the world and to help make life better for others. People like Mike Johnson use religion as a cudgel to hurt others.
Evangelicals. They glance at a sentence and think they know the book. Leave it to a Lutheran to read the whole dang thing.
The evangelical movement is such a total grift. The self-presumption of holiness frosts me the most. Although I don’t want churches involved in politics or government (Romans 13:1-7), the established churches could at least call out false piety more often.
TC, thank you for finding and posting this.
More Americans need to hear a voice like this.
Not sure which god chose Li’ll Mikey but it sure wasn’t a benevolent god! Most likely a false god like the orange maga monster!
I'd say the good (very good) Reverend said all that needed to be said! Although its a shame that it hasnt been said directly to Mr. Johnson himself - he really needs that huge bubble of self-esteem pricked with a large pin!
I was thinking a Bowie knife would be appropriate for slashing that balloon.
Well, I figured a pin prick would have done - waste of effort for that kind of violence!!