Are We Ready for the God Conversation?

By Don Varyu

May 7, 2023

Every mass murder further desensitizes us. The latest one, at an outlet mall outside Dallas, left nine dead. The shooter, a neo-Nazi sympathizer, used and AR-15 to massacre his victims. How unoriginal. 

Yes, it was horrific—and also almost routine. However, this one raised a new wrinkle. The state legislator who represents the district where the murders occurred, Republican Keith Self, first released a statement saying, “…our prayers are with the victims and their families…”  Later, he was properly asked by a CNN reporter to respond to critics who point out that “thoughts and prayers” have done absolutely nothing to stem this parade of slaughter.

He responded, “…those are people who don’t believe in an almighty God who…who has…who is absolutely in control of our lives.” (I’ll skip the part exploring why an almighty, "controlling" God loves slicing up so many innocent people with automatic weapons.)

Many accused Self of “hiding behind the Bible.” Fellow state legislator, Roland Guiterrez, also a Christian, claimed, “it is unconscionable for this man to use the Bible or God in any way to defend (this).” He called for Self to be removed from office.

And there it was. The reflexive "God" defense was publicly put on trial; the supreme being himself caught in the rhetorical crosshairs. 

It's about time. 
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On the same day, an ocean away, a very odd couple officially became the King and Queen of the United Kingdom. Charles was crowned both the sovereign of the realm and also “defender of the faith”—i.e., God’s translator on Earth. (In his defense, Charles doesn’t really like that role—and he’s nobody’s image of an exceptionally holy person, anyway).

During his very holy coronation, he claimed he was taking the role “not to be served, but to serve.” (He stole that line from his Mom.) In any case, it seemed a little hollow from a man who has had multiple personal servants every single second of his entire  life. And one who always travels with a large contingent of those servants, as well as his own mattress, six different types of honey, and both his personal toilet seat and toilet paper.

But forget that for a minute. So what if his Camilla is the only single human he’s ever felt human around--including his two sons.

More important is a development among our oh-so-sensible northern neighbors in Canada. That division of the royal corporation has decided that they will drop the part of Charles’ title as “defender of the faith” from all official documents and ceremonies. He can be “king”—but he's not God’s guy anymore.

Nobody seemed to mind.
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Donald Trump may not known how to hold a Bible, but his disciples surely know how to weaponize it. It’s the shield deployed to deflect any actions that don’t conform to their sordid depiction of “a Christian nation.” That includes gun control measures backed by nearly 90% of Americans.

Imagine their response to a declaration that America become a “Muslim nation” or an "athiest nation." Deathy by hypocrisy.

Certainly religion—or its absence—can be a source of comfort, peace and inspiration in the soul and mind of anyone. But that’s where it belongs. That's why the very first amendment to the Constitution calls for, "...no law respecting an establishment of religion..."

Attempting to export religion to other people—or to an entire government—is always a tool of propaganda, corrupt power and hate.
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If Canada doesn’t care…if Charles doesn’t care…maybe we shouldn’t, either. Why should religion play any part in our laws?

Withou it, maybe fewer Americans would wind up slashed to bits by automatic gunfire. That's what Americans want. But that's what the small minority of bible-beaters keeps from us. 

So, the question: if God can't control the carnage, why would we allow him to control government?