Mike Barnhill
Ashland
Dear Editor:
A theologian named Russell Moore, who is also the president of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention, has recently been quoted as saying about the Jan. 6 storming and looting of the Capitol "If you can defend this, you can defend anything." He was referring to the intruders who displayed Jesus Saves signs next to those calling for the hanging of Vice President Mike Pence. Upon crashing and entering the Capitol, thanked God for the opportunity "to get rid of the communists, the globalists and the traitors" within the U.S. government. Moore added, "If you can wave this away with 'Well, what about ' then where, at long last, is your limit?"
Many Christian leaders publicly denounced the attack on the Capitol, but few went as far a Moore. He laid the blame squarely at the feet of a man many evangelicals believe to be their hero: President Donald Trump.
Moore further explained: "This week we watched an insurrection of domestic terrorists, incited and fomented by the president of the United States." When asked about that statement, he doubled down by adding, "Trump called them to the rally. He told them that the future of our country was at stake, that the election had been stolen from him, and that weakness could not be an answer." He also says, "And after the attack took place with our Vice President under siege, with people calling for him to be executed, the president continued to attack the vice president on Twitter. It's indefensible."
The usually mild-mannered author and theologian stance comes at a cost. He says he and his family have been the subject of threats, and people have tried to dig information that would prove he is a liberal (Heaven forbid!). Actually, most past criticism of Moore is centered around his basic three views of 1) opposed to same-sex marriage, 2) opposed to abortion and 3) avoidance of premarital sex.
What is the future for a group that preaches truth, peace and moral living, after it gambles all its chips on a man who embodies none of those beliefs but who plays along to gain their trust and ultimately their mind and vote?