Critiquing Administration’s Faith Claims: A Christian Perspective

Earlier today the Vatican’s ambassador to the US met with Pentagon officials. These officials reportedly said the Vatican “must choose a side” in the war with Iran. Further these officials brought up the “Babylonian Captivity” a time when the French Crown kidnapped the pope and held the papacy under its control. This is absolutely disgusting behavior. The Church has chosen a side and it is Jesus’ side. We side with the innocent, we side with the victims of war, violence, and oppression. I think of St Francis who established a hospital in a Muslim community to show them Christian love. Yes, there have been many times when Christians have not held to this standard, but it is the standard Jesus set nonetheless and it should be our goal to stand to it. If these reports are true, attempting to pressure the Church to support you with veiled threats shows a complete lack of character and should be condemned.

In the last year two popes have criticized Vice President Vance (a Catholic) for espousing teachings contrary to the Catholic Church. The War Department and Department of Homeland Security have each released several videos showing their activities captioned with Bible verses in attempts to give scriptural authority to their activities. Homeland Security has also deported persecuted Christians seeking asylum (and reportedly refugees). And the military has reportedly told troops that attacking Iran is a spiritual war.

In the last week the President’s Faith Advisor has said the President will be victorious in anything he chooses to do because of Jesus’ victory, the Secretary of Defense has compared a soldier’s rescue to Jesus’ Resurrection, and now the Pentagon has tried to intimidate the Catholic Church.

I bring this up because this administration has also been very public about faith and “rededicating this nation to God. The actions of the administration are radically inconsistent with this goal. I think about the Pentagon being public about their monthly worship services and think the prophet literally says “I hate your monthly worship services because your hands are full of blood, learn to do justice and care for the poor and widows.”

I am sorry if you think I am being harsh on the administration but they are the ones who have said they are returning to God and the best friends Christians have ever had in this country and I endeavor to hold them to those standards and call them out when they fall short (which currently seems to be frequent).