A FEW FREE THOUGHTS

Ken Hurley

The Christian Nationalists are a real threat to American democracy. Led by a convicted fraudster, known liar, and twice-impeached former president who faces dozens of felony charges and desperately wants a return stay in the White House as a dictator with complete immunity. It would be unbelievable if this were fiction. But it is true. 
      Number 45 evokes similarities with the multi-headed serpent, Hydra. There are so many people who thought 45 would be finished by now. Hercules thought he could remove the deadly serpent with one swipe of his sword. But with each slice that removed one ugly head, two heads grew back. In 2024, we thought today's version of the serpent would be long gone by now. We are amazed as to why the modern day Hydra remains in the public eye. Our last great hope to dispatch the menacing serpent remains with our votes. Vote accordingly. Please, vote while conscious.
      Number 45 was indicted in Florida on felony charges for mishandling top secret documents at Mar-a-Lago. He was indicted in Washington D.C. on felony charges for plotting to overturn the 2020 election as a leader of the MAGA morons at the start, middle, and end of the deadly, riotous insurrection in the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. In New York, a jury will be asked to find if Trump falsified 34 invoices and Trump Organization general ledger entries to hide a $130,000 hush money payment to Stormy Daniels during the 2016 presidential campaign to avoid allegations of extramarital sexual encounters. He was indicted in Georgia on felony charges for violating the state’s anti-racketeering law by scheming to illegally overturn his 2020 election loss. Yet, the Christian Nationalists embrace this man as if he is a MAGA messiah. 
       Christian nationalism is a selfish, misguided ideology that claims America was founded as a Christian nation. That America should be a Christian nation today. That America should be a Christian nation in the future. They want to obliterate all notions of separation between Church and State. That notion is historically inaccurate and theologically blasphemous. Make no mistake, though, their threat is real, as evidenced by those who stormed the U.S. Capitol, killing police officers while carrying crosses and signs that read “Jesus Saves.” Then there are the U.S. Supreme Court's religiously-biased, ultra-conservative majority, our Speaker of the House, and too many members of Congress. Let's also remember the Christian Nationalist billionaires who fund and work toward dismantling our public education system in another effort to thwart democracy. These people extol the Bible as the literal word of God. They worship power. They want more power.
      Humanists and Freethinkers reject the claim that the Bible is the word of God; we’re convinced the book contains many errors and dangerous teachings, having been written and rewritten over a long cruel period of time by ignorant, unenlightened, superstitious, and fearful men. Not one woman is credited with contributing her free thoughts to the “good book.”
      Let's note that the Bible does not mention abortion or gay marriage, but it does go on and on about forgiving debt, liberating the poor, and healing the sick. Like student debt forgiveness, universal healthcare, and an assurance that each person would be clothed, fed, and housed.
     America was clearly founded as a secular nation. The United States Constitution is clearly secular. America is a blended society inhabited by people, cultures, lifestyles, and religions from around the world. To claim America is a Christian nation is at best willful ignorance, or at worst a blathering, blatant, manipulative, harmful lie that seeks to treat as insignificant, or worse, remove from society, all those who do not share Christian beliefs. 
      The First Coast Freethought Society is one organization that favors science and reason over religious dogma and fanaticism. We support efforts to keep church and state separate. We are especially grateful for Rabbi Merrill Shapiro, who is a regular contributor to our FreeThinker newsletter and Immediate Past President, National Board of Trustees, of Americans United for Separation of Church and State. 
       Your continued support is enthusiastically encouraged, needed, and appreciated. 
      Would you like some motivation? Shortly before Easter, 45 entered into a new business arrangement where he is likely collecting royalties from sales of the Bible. Watch here: https://youtu.be/noezEB6BKno?feature=shared

With gratitude for all those who help support the First Coast Freethought Society -

______
    Ken Hurley, President
    The First Coast Freethought Society;
    American Humanist Association,
    Jacksonville Chapter
    Firstco@fcfs.org
    FCFS.ORG