Between Monks and Trumps

Last updated on: July 24, 2016 at 6:56 pm by Jason M. Brown

Between Monks and Trumps 2016-07-24T18:56:50-08:00 Jason M. Brown

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Sunset at New Camaldoli Monastery in Big Sur, CA.

Taking a rest from interviews done under trees, by rivers, and on walks on large monastic properties, discussing the importance love, charity and forgiveness, was contrasted with an opening prayer at the RNC given by North Carolina Pastor Mark Burns which called the Democrats “enemies.” I went from intensely philosophical conversations about the ecological dimensions of the Eucharist, to the total denial of climate change and a party platform that claims coal can be clean. From conversations on the meaning of wilderness and paradise, to calls to privatize National Parks and public lands. From discussing the experience of chanting the psalms on behalf of the church daily, to speakers rousing crowds of delegates into chanting “Lock her up,” referring to Hilary Clinton’s supposed email scandal.

Pastor Mark Burns at RNC. Source: www.thefederalist.com

Like all political theatre, the Republican National Convention painted a grim picture of the United States and the world, that could only be effectively solved by their candidate. Muslims were painted with the broad brush of ignorance and fear, immigrants were portrayed as killers and rapists. Donald Trump’s acceptance speech was filled with statistics twisted to paint a picture of increased crime, unemployment and dissatisfaction. Trump claimed that he alone was the person who could fix the problems we face. He did not ask us to put our trust in God, or in each other, but in him.

Go back Continue Reading

Previous Post

July 9, 2016

Different Worlds: Race as Bodyscape

Next Post

August 3, 2016 Vancouver Canopy

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Anthropocene Camino de Santiago Catholicism Film Holyscapes Homily Liturgy Monk Nature New Monasticism New Story Pilgrimage Poetry Politics Prayer Religion and Spirituality Silence Spiritual Ecology Spring Spriritual Ecology Theology Uncategorized Walking Writing

Select a Month June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 August 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Where did Elisha cure Naaman?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Mediterranean Sea Jordan River Sea of Galilee Dead Sea